Utah company ordered to pay $1 million in back wages to FLDS children for labor violations

A Utah company has been ordered to pay $1 million in back wages to hundreds of children who worked at a pecan farm in Hurricane, Utah. The order, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell, names James Jessop and Brain Jessop as the defendants. The company, Pentagon Contractors, used child labor from the Fundamentalist LDS Church, according to the court document.

The court order states that the children worked without pay from 2008 to 2013 at the pecan farm in southern Utah, violating a 2007 injunction and the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Federal authorities allege that the children were removed from school to work at the farm.

The Department of Labor estimates that the company owes $1.5 million to the children. So far, 104 individuals have come forward to claim their wages. The Jessops have 30 days to pay the back wages, which will be distributed to the children within the year.

The case highlights the legal and ethical implications of child labor, particularly when it involves vulnerable populations. The court’s order underscores the importance of protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their rights to education and fair treatment.

The situation raises questions about the responsibilities of employers and the role of legal systems in safeguarding the well-being of minors. It also emphasizes the need for accountability and justice in cases where children are subjected to labor violations. The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding laws that protect the most vulnerable members of society.

Source: Read the original report