A Kauai, Hawaii, restaurant allegedly violated federal regulations by permitting eight workers as young as 15 to work in its kitchen and bake.
The U.S. Department of Labor investigation into Tahiti Nui Enterprises, operating as Tahihi Nui, discovered violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which prohibits businesses from giving young people dangerous jobs, according to an Oct. 19 news release.
“A job should never jeopardize the safety, well-being or educational opportunities of young workers,” Wage and Hour Division District Director in Honolulu Terence Trotter said, according to the release.
The investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division revealed Tahiti Nui also allowed the kids to work longer hours than what federal law allows. Additionally, the restaurant failed to pay 18 workers the required overtime wages for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek, according to the release.
Trotter said with the increased hiring of younger workers in the food service industry, the Labor Department continues to work to be sure employers meet legal obligations to ensure their workers’ safety, the release reported.
