An Alabama auto parts supplier was fined over child-labor accusations after teenagers as young as 13 were found working for the Korean-operated business.
A U.S. district court ordered SL Alabama LLC to cease violating the Fair Labor Standards Act's child-labor provisions and from shipping goods produced within 30 days of violations. The U.S. and Alabama labor departments investigated the business, finding “oppressive child labor by employing minors under 16 in a manufacturing occupation.”
“The U.S. Department of Labor acted swiftly to protect workers as young 13, 14 and 15 years old from harm and prevent SL Alabama from employing these minors in hazardous occupations,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Tremelle I. Howard in Atlanta in a U.S. Department of Labor news release.
The release indicated that SL Alabama was established in 2003 and employs about 650 people in the area. It makes headlights, rear combination lights, and side mirrors for Hyundai and Kia and also has operations in Tennessee and Michigan.
SL Alabama paid a more than $30,000 penalty in the case. It also agreed to introduce monitoring and training programs to prevent violations.
READ MORE: DOL Investigations and Employing Minors in Dealership Service Departments
