Feds say 13-year-old girl worked at Hyundai plant in Alabama
Feds say 13-year-old girl worked at Hyundai plant in Alabama
Child Labor Allegations at Hyundai Plant in Alabama
Federal Lawsuit Initiated
The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Motor Co., SMART Alabama, and Best Practice Service, seeking to relinquish profits earned from child labor.
Child Worked Extensive Hours
A 13-year-old girl was found working 50-60 hours weekly on an assembly line, handling heavy machinery, which is a direct violation of child labor laws.
Hyundai's Response
Hyundai has denied responsibility, citing adherence to U.S. labor laws and expressing disappointment over the lawsuit, claiming it unfairly targets the company based on the actions of its suppliers.
Legal and Ethical Implications
This case marks a significant legal challenge as it involves a major company and allegations of child labor at a subcontractor level, setting a potentially precedent-setting scenario for labor law enforcement in the U.S.
How widespread was the issue of child labor in Hyundai's supply chain in Alabama, according to the Reuters report and the Department of Labor's findings?
According to the Reuters report and the Department of Labor's findings, the issue of child labor in Hyundai's supply chain in Alabama was quite significant. The investigation uncovered that at least four major suppliers for Hyundai Motor Co and sister company Kia Corp had employed child labor at their Alabama factories in recent years56. Furthermore, the Labor Department found a 13-year-old girl working up to 50-60 hours a week on a SMART assembly line in Luverne, Alabama, operating machines that turned sheet metal into auto body parts12. The child worked at the facility, which provides parts to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, for a period of six to seven months. The Department of Labor's complaint seeks to hold all three employers accountable in the supply chain, as companies cannot escape liability by blaming suppliers or staffing companies for child labor violations when they are in fact also employers themselves4.
What specific allegations has the U.S. Department of Labor made against Hyundai Motor Co., SMART Alabama, and Best Practice Service in the complaint filed in U.S. District Court?
The U.S. Department of Labor has accused Hyundai Motor Co., SMART Alabama, and Best Practice Service of jointly employing a 13-year-old girl in violation of federal child labor laws. The complaint alleges that the girl worked on an assembly line at a SMART Alabama plant, which supplies parts to Hyundai, for up to 50-60 hours a week, operating machines that turned sheet metal into auto body parts4. The Labor Department is seeking to require all three companies to relinquish any profits related to the use of child labor.