date: 31 July 2001 embargo: immediate release

Attention: news and industrial editors

Child labour at McDonald's franchise

Commenting on a court decision to fine a McDonald’s franchisee for employing school age workers illegally, Deputy General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Given that McDonald’s heavily target children and young people, they have a special responsibility to ensure their young employees are not distracted from schoolwork.

'The courts were right to hand out this heavy fine. We hope other councils will ensure McDonald’s franchisees obey the law.'

Notes to Editors:

All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Stephanie Power on 020 7467 1248 or 07699 744115 (pager) or email spower@tuc.org.uk or Richard Darlington 020 7467 1337 pager 07654 589780 rdarlington@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 31 Jul 2001