Context:

Senator Josh Hawley is calling for a federal investigation into Tyson Foods following allegations of child labor, as reported by a whistleblower who was a former employee overseeing plant safety. The whistleblower claims to have personally witnessed underage workers and received reports from other employees about children working at a Tyson plant, allegedly employed by a third-party contractor. After the whistleblower raised concerns with superiors, they faced retaliation and quit the company, leading to Tyson pursuing legal action against them. Hawley noted that Tyson uses subcontractors to evade accountability for employing minors, although Tyson denied any wrongdoing and stated they comply with labor laws by using E-Verify and IMAGE programs. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has received Hawley's letter and is committed to preventing child labor violations, emphasizing the Department of Labor's enforcement capabilities in her role within the Trump administration.

Dive Deeper:

• Senator Josh Hawley has requested an investigation by the Department of Labor into Tyson Foods after a whistleblower reported child labor practices at one of its facilities. The whistleblower, who previously oversaw plant safety, claimed to witness and hear about underage workers employed by a third-party contractor.

• The whistleblower faced a toxic work environment and retaliation after raising concerns about child labor, leading to their resignation and subsequent legal action by Tyson against them. This has prompted Hawley to initiate an investigation through his Senate Judiciary subcommittee.

• Tyson Foods has been accused of using subcontractors to avoid legal responsibility for employing minors, a practice highlighted by media reports. In response to the allegations, Tyson asserted their adherence to labor laws and denied any involvement in hiring underage workers.

• Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has received Hawley's letter and reaffirmed her dedication to combating labor abuses, including child labor, through the Department's enforcement capabilities. Her commitment was emphasized during her confirmation hearing under the Trump administration.

• Tyson Foods has faced previous scrutiny for its labor practices, including criticism for hiring asylum seekers at a Tennessee plant while closing another facility in Iowa, impacting 1,000 jobs. The company maintains that it does not condone the employment of individuals under 18 and has systems in place to report suspicious activities.