A federal strike force investigating child labor law violations has cited 11 companies in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.
In Utah, citations were issued to Country Collectibles, Salt Lake City; and Frontier Pies and Domino's Pizza, both in Logan, according to a U.S. Department of Labor spokesman. The citations involve number of hours worked and hazardous order violations.Loren Gilbert, regional administrator for the Wage and Hour Division, Denver, said the regulatory action brings to 20 the number of firms in the six-state Rocky Mountain region that have been cited by "Operation Child Watch II" since it began its work July 5.
The 11 firms that were identified this week reflect regional strike force reports as of Aug. 9. So far in Utah, the strike force has investigated 458 violations involving 430 minors.
"As the remaining investigations are completed and reported, many more establishments will be cited for violations and assessed civil money penalties," the labor department spokesman said.
The department has assessed $7,950 in fines in Utah. Gilbert said the cited firms can appeal the findings and seek to have them overturned or pay the penalties.
About 1,000 Wage and Hour Division investigators nationwide have been evaluating compliance with child labor law provisions in the service, retail, agriculture and garment industries. The department estimates that violations were uncovered in more than 900 cases involving 5,700 minors.
According to labor officials, about 1,100 minors were found to be employed in occupations deemed hazardous to those under age 18, and about 180 minors under age 14 were found to be employed illegally.
Generally, children under age 14 may work only in a few specified jobs. Different standards apply to farm labor.