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The Shapiro Administration has announced a $7.8 million settlement with Walmart over violations of Pennsylvania's child labor laws. This settlement, described as the largest child labor enforcement action in the state's history, comes after an investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) revealed numerous violations at eight Walmart locations across the state.
The investigation, which began in February 2025, was prompted by reports of minors being injured while working at Walmart stores. According to WNEP, the department's Bureau of Labor Law Compliance conducted 10 audits, uncovering an average of 65 violations per audit. These violations included failing to provide minor employees with legally required breaks and allowing them to work more hours than permitted by law.
L&I Secretary Nancy Walker emphasized the importance of these laws, stating, "Pennsylvania's child labor laws exist to protect our kids, and employers have a responsibility to follow them." She added that the settlement is a result of the department's efforts to hold Walmart accountable and prevent future violations.
In addition to the financial penalties, Walmart has agreed to implement measures to prevent future violations. These include manager training on Pennsylvania's child labor laws, posting documents in stores to inform employees of their rights, and providing state officials with records related to the employment of minors at specific locations on six-month and one-year intervals.
Governor Josh Shapiro stated, "Every employer in Pennsylvania should be on notice: we will not tolerate you taking advantage of our youngest workers." The settlement includes a provision for even more stringent fines if future violations are found.
Walmart has already paid $142,785 in fines during the initial inquiry and will pay an additional $7,686,786.16 as part of the settlement. A Walmart spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the resolution, stating, "We have processes in place to support compliance with applicable laws, including the paperwork requirements, and we regularly review and improve them," as reported by The Inquirer.
The settlement money will be used for labor law education, enforcement, and compliance efforts, ensuring that similar violations do not occur in the future.