The three McDonald’s franchisees named in the study — Bauer Food, Archways Richwood and Bell Restaurant Group — own a total of 62 locations in Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland and Ohio. The study found that they employ 305 children who worked more than the legal hours, including during school hours, and performed tasks that were prohibited for their age.
“Too often employers fail to comply with child labor laws that protect young workers,” said Karen Garnett-Civils, the district director of the employment agency’s wages and hours division. “An employer who hires young employees must know the rules. Under no circumstances should a 10-year-old child ever be allowed to work in a fast food kitchen around hot grills, ovens and deep fryers.”
For the violations, the three franchisees must pay fines totaling $ 212,754 (about 190,000 euros).
The franchisees or McDonald’s itself have not yet responded to the allegations.