A Duplin County poultry processor has agreed to pay more than $12,000 in fines for child labor violations.
The U.S. Department of Labor says 16 and 17 year olds were working in the deboning department at the House of Raeford's Teachey plant. The feds say the teens were required to operate an electric knife, which is a violation of federal work standards for workers under the age of 18.
The company, which is headquartered in Rose Hill, agreed to pay the $12,400 fine as well as maintaining future compliance with federal child labor provisions.
House of Raeford has processing facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana.
