C Casa, a popular Mexican restaurant in Napa’s Oxbow Public Market, has been fined over $45,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor for violating child labor laws.
The investigation found that children as young as 14 worked outside permitted hours and operated hazardous equipment. The restaurant also failed to provide adequate space and time for a lactating employee to pump breast milk and allegedly retaliated against her. C Casa owner Catherine Bergen expressed surprise at the fine and stated that she was unaware of the specific violations.
The Department of Labor emphasized the importance of complying with child labor laws and warned that employers who violate these laws will be held accountable.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of child labor violations across the United States, with the Department of Labor finding thousands of such cases in 2024.