Hyundai supplier accused of child labour violations in US

The US Department of Labor accused a Korean-owned auto parts maker and supplier of Hyundai Motor Co of violating federal child labour laws at an Alabama factory.

The Department of Labor (DOL) said that SL Alabama LLC, a subsidiary of South Korea’s SL Corp, employed underage workers at its Alexander City, Alabama factory, according to filings on Monday with the US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

Since last November, SL Alabama “repeatedly violated” labor regulations by “employing oppressive child labor” and “minors under the age of 16,” the DOL said in a six-page complaint.

SL Alabama admitted children had worked at the plant, which makes headlights, rear lights and other components for companies including Hyundai and its Kia affiliate. SL said the minors had been hired by an outside labour recruitment firm, which it did not identify.

The discovery of child workers at a second Hyundai supplier signals widening scrutiny of labour practices in the automaker’s US supply chain. In an emailed statement late Monday, Hyundai said “it does not tolerate illegal employment practices in any Hyundai entity”.