Credit: PA Internet News Service
Walmart will pay millions of dollars and take additional steps to stop future child labor violations at its stores in Pennsylvania.
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After an investigation, the state has settled with Walmart and agreed to a $7.68 million penalty and $142,785 in fines to be paid by the retailer, according to an announcement by Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker.
The settlement is the “largest child labor enforcement action in Pennsylvania history and includes compliance measures to protect young workers and prevent future violations at Walmart stores,” according to state officials.
Walmart was accused of violating the state’s Child Labor Act at stores throughout the state.
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Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Bureau of Labor Law Compliance began looking into Walmart in February 2025 after receiving referrals from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation about minors who were hurt while working at Walmart stores.
According to state officials, investigators undertook 10 audits at eight Walmart locations throughout Pennsylvania.
The state investigators reportedly found an average of 65 Child Labor Act violations per audit.
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The violations, according to a press release, included failing to obtain work permits for minor employees, failing to inform school districts about the employment, failing to give minor workers required breaks, and allowing minors to work more hours than permitted by law.
State officials said that as the investigation widened, Walmart “pursued a statewide settlement covering Walmart stores throughout Pennsylvania.”
In addition to the financial penalties, Walmart has agreed to carry out manager training on child labor laws, post notices at workplaces about employee rights, and provide records related to minor employment twice per year.
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“In the settlement, Walmart also agreed to pay an amplified penalty of double L&I’s typical fine figure if any violations are found in the future compliance checks outlined in the agreement,” the state’s release said.
“Pennsylvania’s child labor laws exist to protect our kids, and employers have a responsibility to follow them,” said Secretary Walker. “When our investigators identified a pattern of violations at Walmart stores, we knew we needed to look beyond those individual locations. This settlement is the result of our team’s work to hold Walmart accountable across the Commonwealth, and the future commitments we’ve secured will help prevent these violations from happening again.”
State officials said they have investigated more than 2,200 child labor cases since January 2023.
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Complaints to authorities from workers and members of the public who suspect violations of Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act or other labor laws can be submitted online.
