A second Hyundai Motor supplier has been accused of violating child labor laws. On Monday, the Department of Labor accused SL Alabama of employing underage workers at a factory in Alexander City, Alabama.
The company, a subsidiary of SL Corp, a South Korean company, makes headlights, rear lights and other parts for Hyundai and Kia, a Hyundai Motor Group-controlled company.
According to Reuters, which reviewed the federal court filings, SL Alabama has repeatedly violated labor laws since last November. The DOL accused the company of "employing oppressive child labor" and minors under 16 years old.
The company admitted that children worked at the factory in a statement to Reuters. However, SL blamed an outside labor recruitment firm for hiring minors.
In July, SMART Alabama, a majority-owned unit of Hyundai, was accused of employing children as young as 12 years old at a stamping plant.
In a statement, Hyundai said illegal employment practices are not tolerated by any of its entities.
A proposed settlement is already in the works. As part of the agreement, SL will stop hiring minors, punish any managers who knew about the practice and temporarily cut ties with any recruiters that hire underage employees. It's unknown how many SL employees were minors or their roles at the company.
Minors under the age of sixteen are prohibited from working in most industrial factory settings by federal and Alabama law.
