Parts Supplier Fined Over Child Labor
Alabama supplier to Hyundai, Kia paid over $30,000 in penalties after investigation found teens as young as 13 working at plant.
Investigators found children as young as 13 working at facility.
IMAGE: Getty Images/deepblue4you
An Alabama auto parts supplier was fined over child-labor accusations after teenagers as young as 13 were found working for the Korean-operated business.
A U.S. district court ordered SL Alabama LLC to cease violating the Fair Labor Standards Act's child-labor provisions and from shipping goods produced within 30 days of violations. The U.S. and Alabama labor departments investigated the business, finding “oppressive child labor by employing minors under 16 in a manufacturing occupation.”
“The U.S. Department of Labor acted swiftly to protect workers as young 13, 14 and 15 years old from harm and prevent SL Alabama from employing these minors in hazardous occupations,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Tremelle I. Howard in Atlanta in a U.S. Department of Labor news release.
The release indicated that SL Alabama was established in 2003 and employs about 650 people in the area. It makes headlights, rear combination lights, and side mirrors for Hyundai and Kia and also has operations in Tennessee and Michigan.
SL Alabama paid a more than $30,000 penalty in the case. It also agreed to introduce monitoring and training programs to prevent violations.
READ MORE: DOL Investigations and Employing Minors in Dealership Service Departments
Originally posted on P&A Magazine
More Industry
Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →