A Kentucky distribution center has been slapped with a $30,000 fine after the U.S. Department of Labor found it illegally employed two children, one of whom operated a forklift. One employed child operated a forklift, which is considered hazardous for workers under 18, and another child picked up orders in the warehouse, which is prohibited for workers under 16, the department said. The penalty comes amid a crackdown of child labor violations in the U.S., which Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Juan Coria in Atlanta said was seeing an "alarming increase." "Employers are responsible for taking all appropriate actions to verify that they are not illegally employing children. In the fiscal year of 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor found child labor violations involving nearly 4,000 children nationwide, an increase of more than 60% over the past five years.

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Persons: Juan Coria, Coria Organizations: U.S . Department of Labor, Win.It, U.S . Department, Labor's, Division, Inc, Technology Co, U.S ., Employers Locations: Kentucky, Hebron, Cincinnati , Ohio, U.S, Shanghai, China, U.S . Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Atlanta