The U.S. Department of Labor has reached an agreement with JBS USA Food Co., the country's largest meat packing processor, to address child labor compliance issues. As part of this agreement, JBS will allocate $4 million to support individuals and communities impacted by illegal child labor practices across the nation.
The agreement, dated January 13, 2025, obligates JBS to hold its supply chain partners accountable for unlawful child labor and includes a targeted advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness about these practices. Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman commented on the initiative: “Under this agreement, JBS USA Food Co. has adopted creative and forward-thinking compliance measures to combat illegal child labor.”
JBS's efforts will focus on several communities including Guntersville, Alabama; Greeley, Colorado; Ottumwa, Iowa; Worthington, Minnesota; and Grand Island, Nebraska. The funds may be used for scholarships, stipends, educational aid, ESL teaching positions, literacy programs, job training, and housing assistance.
Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda emphasized the importance of the company's role in preventing child labor: “Host companies like JBS have enormous leverage to help prevent child labor in their supply chains and even more broadly in the industry.”
Additional measures outlined in the agreement include hosting a symposium on preventing illegal child labor for industry leaders and non-profits. JBS is also required to hire a compliance specialist for policy review and audits while maintaining an ethics hotline for anonymous reporting. A zero-tolerance policy against third-party sanitation firms involved in violations is also mandated.
Headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, JBS USA Food Co. is a major beef producer with nine facilities in the U.S., supplying products globally under various brand names such as Pilgrim’s and Swift. It operates as a subsidiary of Brazil-based JBS S.A., known as the world's largest processor of fresh beef and pork.
Since 2022 investigations by the department revealed that third-party service providers employed children in hazardous roles at various locations including Colorado and Iowa. In fiscal year 2024 alone over 4,000 children were found working illegally according to federal laws.
For further inquiries or concerns regarding wage regulations or prohibited jobs for minors under age 18 workers can contact the division's helpline available in over 200 languages at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).
