[US] Massachusetts fast food franchisees fined for alleged child labour law violations

In the US, Attorney General Andrea Campbell is citing the owner of more than 80 Dunkin' franchises in Massachusetts, together with companies that operate McDonald's and Subway locations in the state, for alleged child labour law violations, CBS News reports.

Cafua Management Company, the operator of the Dunkin' stores, was fined $140,000 as part of a settlement agreement with Ms Campbell's office. According to the attorney general, between 2020 and 2023, Cafua failed to get work permits for employing minors, allowed them to work during legally prohibited hours, and had 16 and 17-year-old employees working for more than nine hours a day. 

In addition, minors were reportedly working without an immediate adult supervisor after 8 p.m.

Cafua runs Dunkin' locations in Billerica, Burlington, Charlestown, Chelmsford, Chicopee, Danvers, Dracut, Fall River, Grafton, Great Barrington, Lawrence, Lee, Lowell, Medford, Methuen, Millbury, North Andover, Peabody, Pittsfield, Salisbury, Saugus, Somerville, Stoneham, Tyngsboro, Westboro, Westford and Worcester.

The Brewster Company - which operates the McDonald's locations - was fined nearly $64,000 for similar violations between 2021 and 2024, Ms Campbell said. Brewster manages eight McDonald's in Everett, Hanover, Malden, Norwell, Quincy, Revere, Weymouth and Woburn. 

The attorney general reportedly stated that the Subway franchise operator, Knight Food Service, also failed to obtain work permits for minors, had them work more than nine hours a day, employed minors to work without an adult supervisor after 8 p.m., and did not provide meal breaks for minors working more than six hours a day. 

The company was issued a penalty of more than $22,000 for child labour violations found in Brockton, she said.

Several other Dunkin' franchise owners have been cited by the state for violating child labour laws over the past few years. One had more than 1,200 child labour law violations at Massachusetts stores, while another allowed young workers to use a "dangerous oven."   

"Our child labour laws exist to protect young workers and prioritise their safety and education as they learn new skills, earn income, and contribute to their communities," Ms Campbell said in a statement. "My office will continue to enforce these laws to empower our youth and remind employers that Massachusetts is serious about protecting its workforce." 

Source: CBS News

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

In the US, Attorney General Andrea Campbell is citing the owner of more than 80 Dunkin' franchises in Massachusetts, together with companies that operate McDonald's and Subway locations in the state, for alleged child labour law violations, CBS News reports.

Cafua Management Company, the operator of the Dunkin' stores, was fined $140,000 as part of a settlement agreement with Ms Campbell's office. According to the attorney general, between 2020 and 2023, Cafua failed to get work permits for employing minors, allowed them to work during legally prohibited hours, and had 16 and 17-year-old employees working for more than nine hours a day. 

In addition, minors were reportedly working without an immediate adult supervisor after 8 p.m.

Cafua runs Dunkin' locations in Billerica, Burlington, Charlestown, Chelmsford, Chicopee, Danvers, Dracut, Fall River, Grafton, Great Barrington, Lawrence, Lee, Lowell, Medford, Methuen, Millbury, North Andover, Peabody, Pittsfield, Salisbury, Saugus, Somerville, Stoneham, Tyngsboro, Westboro, Westford and Worcester.

The Brewster Company - which operates the McDonald's locations - was fined nearly $64,000 for similar violations between 2021 and 2024, Ms Campbell said. Brewster manages eight McDonald's in Everett, Hanover, Malden, Norwell, Quincy, Revere, Weymouth and Woburn. 

The attorney general reportedly stated that the Subway franchise operator, Knight Food Service, also failed to obtain work permits for minors, had them work more than nine hours a day, employed minors to work without an adult supervisor after 8 p.m., and did not provide meal breaks for minors working more than six hours a day. 

The company was issued a penalty of more than $22,000 for child labour violations found in Brockton, she said.

Several other Dunkin' franchise owners have been cited by the state for violating child labour laws over the past few years. One had more than 1,200 child labour law violations at Massachusetts stores, while another allowed young workers to use a "dangerous oven."   

"Our child labour laws exist to protect young workers and prioritise their safety and education as they learn new skills, earn income, and contribute to their communities," Ms Campbell said in a statement. "My office will continue to enforce these laws to empower our youth and remind employers that Massachusetts is serious about protecting its workforce." 

Source: CBS News

(Links and quotes via original reporting)