– Biden administration sues Hyundai for alleged child labor
– Biden administration files lawsuit against Hyundai for alleged child labor practices.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has taken legal action against Hyundai’s first assembly and manufacturing plant in the United States, along with two of its partners, over allegations of illegal child labor practices. In a federal legal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, the DOL sought an injunction to prevent Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), vehicle parts manufacturer SMART Alabama, and staffing agency Best Practice Service (BPS) from violating child labor laws in the future.
According to the complaint, the DOL accused the companies of employing “oppressive child labor” in the production of cars for sale in the U.S. The allegations date back to a period from around July 11, 2021, to approximately February 1, 2022. One specific case mentioned in the complaint involved a 13-year-old girl, identified as EC, who allegedly worked up to 50 to 60 hours per week with metal stamping presses on a SMART assembly line in Luverne, Alabama. BPS provided the teenager to SMART, despite knowing or having reason to know that she was a minor.
The DOL further alleged that certain other minors also worked for the companies in question. All three companies were held liable, as BPS supplied labor to SMART, which oversaw the minors’ daily output that was then shipped to HMMA. Hyundai Motor America, HMMA’s parent company, owned a significant stake in SMART, Inc., SMART’s parent company, and provided financial, executive, and technical support to SMART.
After discovering that EC was underage, SMART reportedly informed BPS that two additional employees were not welcome back at the facility due to their appearance and physical characteristics indicating they were also underage. SMART transitioned to ITAC Alabama on November 1, 2023, following a reorganization.
HMMA, Hyundai’s first assembly and manufacturing plant in the U.S., opened in 2005 and is worth $1.8 billion. The DOL’s legal action highlights the severity of child labor issues in the country, with DOL Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman emphasizing the need to hold all employers accountable for violating child labor laws.
Child labor remains a concerning issue in the United States, and the DOL’s efforts to combat illegal child labor practices are crucial in safeguarding the rights and well-being of young workers. The lawsuit against Hyundai’s assembly and manufacturing plant underscores the importance of upholding labor laws and protecting vulnerable individuals in the workforce..
Biden Admin Sues Hyundai For Allegedly Using ‘Oppressive Child Labor’.
