The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued a Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2023-3 (FAB) on August 31, 2023, geared towards providing guidance to field staff regarding the prohibition of the shipment of so-called “hot goods”. This proviso, found in Section 212(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), is a critical tool in the enforcement against child labor violations.Read the original article.
The term “hot goods” refers to items produced in violation of labor standards, especially those prohibitions relating to child labor. This new guidance represents a significant clarification regarding the practical applications and limitations of the “hot goods” provision under the FLSA. Cracking down on employers who exploit child labor remains a crucial priority for not only ethical, but also legal reasons.
It is essential for corporate legal professionals to take note of this new guidance to ensure their organizations remain on the right side of the law and avoid any potential FLSA violations. Understanding the parameters of the “hot goods” provision could hold significant implications for businesses involved in the production, shipment, or sale of goods. Legal departments will need to review their current protocols and, if necessary, implement new measures that align with the newly provided guidance by the DOL.
The article containing more detailed information about the new guidance was authored by Littler, a renowned legal entity that specialises in labor and employment law. For more comprehensive details about the Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2023-3 (FAB), corporate legal professionals are encouraged to read the full article.