The US Labor Department fined three McDonald's franchise owners more than $212,000 after learning that they had unlawfully and unpaid hired hundreds of youngsters, some as young as 10.
According to Fox News, 62 McDonald's locations are operated by Bauer Food LLC, Archways Richwood LLC, and Bell Restaurant Group I LLC in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, and Ohio.
Over 300 kids worked longer hours than allowed and did tasks that were not appropriate for young workers, according to the department's Wage and Hour Division, the report said.
Two 10-year-olds were hired by Louisville, Kentucky-based Bauer Food LLC, which is facing a penalty of roughly $40,000, and they worked long hours without being paid.
They performed tasks that are prohibited by federal child labor laws, such as preparing and distributing food, using a deep fryer, and operating the drive-through window.
According to the article, Bell Restaurant Group I LLC faces a charge of $29,267, and Archways Richwood LLC, which oversees 27 McDonald's locations, is also facing a $143,566 fine.
According to the Labor Department, child labor laws prohibit youngsters between the ages of 14 and 15 from working more than three hours on school days and more than eight hours on days when school is not in session.
Additionally, it is forbidden for kids in this age range to work while they are in class.
