Report: 'Widespread Violations' of Child Labor Laws Found at Hy-Vee, Fareway and Other Grocers

Several stores in the Hy-Vee and Fareway grocery chains, and other supermarkets, have been fined for "widespread violations" of federal child labor laws, according to a Des Moines Register report.

The U.S. Department of Labor found violations in 51 stores in Iowa and Nebraska and assessed more than $128,500 in fines, according to the report. Fareway in Ames is among the stores found in violation. The store had seven violations for loading baler/compactor, according to information in the Register report.

The Register reports that violations included minors performing dangerous and prohibited duties, such as “loading and/or operating power-driving paper balers, meat slicers, bakery machines and operating a motor vehicle.”

Hy-Vee spokeswoman Ruth Comer told the Register that most of the violations were "in the spirit of helping" co-workers. The Register reported they couldn't reach Fareway for comment. 

Hy-Vee faces $62,000 in fines for 30 violations, and Fareway faces nearly $20,000 for 14 violations.

A U.S. Labor Department spokesman called the number of violations "worrisome," although no children were injured.