The U.S. Department of Labor recently launched an investigation into possible child labor violations at a Tyson Food Plant in Northwest Arkansas. According to a report by the Arkansas Times, the investigation focuses on the employment of minors as young as 11 and 13 on the so-called “kill floor” at facilities in Green Forest and Rogers, Arkansas.
On September 11, 2024, search warrants were executed at Tyson’s headquarters after receiving an anonymous complaint from a source “who said she was a mother of middle schoolers and overheard children between 11 and 13 years old discussing their employment at the Green Forest Tyson Foods processing plant on the night shift from about 11:00 p.m to 7 or 8 a.m.” The also said the children were “talking about not knowing how to get money from their paycheck out of the ATM.”
In response to the Arkansas Times report, Tyson Foods stated “To be clear, we do not allow the employment of anyone under the age of 18 in any of our facilities, and we do not facilitate, excuse, or in any other way participate in the use of child labor.”
Federal law, specifically the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, strictly prohibits the employment of minors in such environments. The “kill floor” of a processing plant is the area where animals are killed as part of the first step in the meat production process. These areas are hazardous environments due to the presence of heavy machinery, sharp tools, and the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious materials. Workers in these areas of a plant must adhere to strict safety requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These “kill floors” are absolutely no place for children.
At Poynter Law Group, we are committed to protecting the rights of Arkansans
If your children worked at a Tyson Foods plaint – whether during summer break, overnight shifts, or in any hazardous conditions – we encourage you to reach out to us at Poynter Law Group. We are investigating these claims and are prepared to fight for your family’s rights. Our team can provide the guidance and representation you need during this difficult time.
