Exclusive: Hyundai in talks with U.S. Labor Department over Alabama child labor

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co said it is in talks with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve concerns about child workers in its U.S. supply chain, and the company is taking corrective actions after a Reuters investigation found children as young as 12 working in hazard-laden Alabama factories linked to the automotive giant.

In a statement late Tuesday, Hyundai told Reuters it has held a series of discussions with the Labor Department, which has been investigating a Hyundai subsidiary in Alabama and other parts suppliers to the automaker, and its sister brand Kia Corp, for potential child labor violations.

The talks with the U.S. labor regulator have focused on "compliance measures across our supply chain," company spokesman Michael Stewart said in a statement. He also detailed several new measures Hyundai is implementing to "ensure non-compliance never happens again."

Among them: Hyundai said it will roll out new employment training programs throughout its U.S. supply chain, validate identification documents for job applicants, set up anonymous tip hotlines, and discourage the use of third-party staffing agencies. Reuters found those agencies sometimes placed underage workers in the suppliers' plants.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/hyundai-talks-with-us-labor-department-over-alabama-child-labor-2023-02-08/

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[LudwigPastorius]

1. Wow.

I hope, if I ever run afoul of the law, that I can simply hold talks with the police to resolve concerns.

"Yes officer, you did find me in a hotel with an 8 ball of cocaine and two sex workers, but I am taking corrective action so that it doesn't happen again."

[orleans]

2. wow! 12??? nt

[FredGarvin]

6. I worked at Montgomery Wards when I was 13

Sweeping floors, taking out trash...etc.

Great gig. Worked after school and on weekends.

Saved up money and bought a new Schwinn bike.

Great learning experience.

[NullTuples]

8. That's not "hazard laden"...also these kids aren't working to buy new Schwinn bikes.

[IronLionZion]

3. This is what it's come to with the labor shortage

children are stealing our jobs!

[nuxvomica]

7. I hope the compliance settlement includes hefty severance for the kids

I would guess it does not but I would think something is owed these kids, and it would also improve employers' "focus" on this sort of problem if their cost were not just the fines.

[NullTuples]

9. "in talks with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve concerns..."

Gosh, and some try to claim that human persons and corporate persons are held to different standards under the law.

/sarc

[Evolve Dammit]

10. It is disturbing for child labor laws to be violated. I hope there is a public trial.

[DBoon]

11. Hyundai got caught

How many other employers doing this have not yet been caught?

I doubt this is an isolated case.

For some, the takeaway is "do a better job hiding your child laborers"

[COL Mustard]

12. I speak fluent Southern

So I know what JD means by "Bless Her Heart". It ain't kind.

Honestly, I'm surprised JD still works in Alabama. A lot of his cartoons savage people there.