A 16-year-old middle school student from Guatemala employed by Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi was killed last week on the job in an accident involving an unspecified piece of equipment, an incident that illustrates how recklessly industries treat vulnerable workers.
According to NBC News, Duvan Tomas Perez was two years too young to be working at the poultry plant, a job site so dangerous OSHA does not allow anyone under the age of eighteen to work in meat processing. Two years ago, another worker was killed in an accident. In case you’re wondering, the plant was fined $27,306 in that death, a judgment the company is appealing. But remember, folks, Republicans want kids as young as 14 to work in meat packing plants because money.