Tyson and Perdue Foods are under investigation due to allegations of child labor. A New York Times exposè spoke about child labor in the U.S., including interviews with multiple people who claim to have worked in Tyson and Perdue meat packing plants while underage. Tyson Foods and Perdue claim the underage workers were employees of a subcontractor that cleaned the facilities. Both companies have now cut ties with the subcontractor. The exposè also shines a light on underage migrant workers in agricultural settings.
Similar to the allegations against Tyson and Perdue, Shein and Temu were accused of using forced labor in a June congressional report. The report states, “American consumers should know that there is an extremely high risk that Temu’s supply chains are contaminated with forced labor.”
If more families are living in poverty, it would make sense that these households would be looking for ways to earn more money — even if that means their children have to find a job.
Sure, it might be easy to blame the cause on the greed of a couple corporations, but it’s important to consider not just how to stop this specific problem, but to also ask what might be contributing to the prevalence of this problem.
Child labor is almost always a result of companies seeking out the cheapest workers who can be given as little as possible without quitting. Migrant children are often forced into this position because they are in poverty. They need money to eat, keep a roof over their head and help support their family.
The problem isn’t that these companies are taking advantage of these young people, it lies in the fact that these children are in a position where they have to work. This is compounded by the problem created by these corporations taking advantage of these children.
Since around this time last year, income inequality has worsened, child poverty has risen and inflation has continued rising. COVID-19 stimulus benefits and enhanced tax credits decreased nationwide poverty levels during the pandemic, but these programs have since ended and many families are now struggling. Calls requesting assistance from Hope Partnership, a center for homeless and impoverished people in Florida, have more than tripled from the levels seen before the pandemic, Rev. Mary Downey told AP News.
If more families are living in poverty, it would make sense that these households would be looking for ways to earn more money — even if that means their children have to find a job. It isn’t their fault. It is the result of a systemic problem that puts families in a position where they have to decide between being homeless or having their children work.
Passing legislation, boycotting and fining these companies might mitigate the problem short-term, but it is likely that child labor will remain prevalent until poverty and low wages are addressed on a systemic level.
jgray11@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @PerdueFarms, X
