The company, Tuff Torq, was fined nearly $300,000 for hiring 10 children. It must also set aside $1.5 million to help the immigrant minors who were illegally employed.

The company, Tuff Torq, was fined nearly $300,000 for hiring 10 children. It must also set aside $1.5 million to help the immigrant minors who were illegally employed.

Immigrant children as young as 14 were found working illegally amid dangerous heavy equipment at a Tennessee firm that makes parts for lawn mowers sold by John Deere and other companies, according to Labor Department officials.

The company, Tuff Torq, was fined nearly $300,000 for hiring 10 children. As part of a consent agreement with the federal government, the company is also required to set aside $1.5 million to help the children who were illegally employed. Ryan Pott, general counsel for Tuff Torq’s majority owner, the Japanese firm Yanmar, acknowledged the violations to NBC News.

  • EvilLootbox@lemmy.worldEnglish
    261·
    7 months ago

    It’s still their responsibility to audit their suppliers. At the very least to have them pledge to not use child labour with contract penalties. I have a friend who travels at random to China to do drop-in unannounced checks for apparel companies to make sure they’re meeting labour standards and actually doing the work in-house and not sub-subcontracing.

    It’s super common for low bidders to have nice show factories that give a good tour, but then just pawn the work off elsewhere when companies don’t actively check or care. I can’t imagine Deere gave a shit to allow this from their supplier, especially with no statement from them even saying they were hoodwinked or anything.