JBS Starts Own Cleaner Service After Child-labour Issue
JBS stopped working with Packers Sanitation Services Inc. The supplier allegedly employed children. JBS terminated their contracts.
JBS made their own cleaning operation in the US. The reason was a supplier got in trouble for using child workers.
JBS, a meat company in Brazil, has a new cleaning service called JBS Sanitation. JBS Sanitation will provide cleaning for JBS's US arm and Pilgrim's subsidiary. Now JBS will have in-house cleaning for its facilities in the US.
Last month, JBS stopped working with Packers Sanitation Services Inc. This was because the supplier was fined $1.5m for using child labour.
An investigation by the US Department of Labor discovered that PSSI, a company that offered sanitation services in JBS USA meat plants, unlawfully hired over 100 kids.
The company producing meat will start using JBS Sanitation at ten locations. They might use the new unit at other sites later if third-party service providers don't match their standards. It's a must for them to comply with an approved third-party auditor.
JBS USA made a new company after bad allegations about food safety. They want to give top-quality food safety and assurance. They will follow high standards for job verification and doing things right, like with their own workers. The CEO, Wesley Batista Filho, said this.
The company created a hotline for whistleblowers. Workers can use it to report any suspicious activity. The purpose is to prevent more incidents. The focus is on suspected underaged workers.
Marc Perrone, international president of trade union UFCW, thinks it's terrible that subcontractors in meatpacking plants use child labour. He's pleased to see JBS USA is taking steps to fix the problem.
We think union contracts are important. They can help prevent workers from being treated badly. We're working with JBS USA to improve the working conditions of sanitation workers. They'll get better wages, benefits, and protection. We'll also make sure that food is safe to eat. We want to keep working with JBS USA to make sure our members are safe and happy at work.
