ALBANY, New York: The parent company of the "American Idols Live Tour '07" violated child labor laws during its New York concert dates, according to the state Department of Labor.
The company, 19 Touring LLC, did not have child performer permits for two singers _"Idol" winner Jordin Sparks and Sanjaya Malakar — who were under 18 during the tour's New York dates in August and September.
Sparks is 17. Malakar turned 18 last month, but was 17 during the five performance dates in Rochester, Long Island, Albany and Syracuse.
The company will pay $5,000 in fines.
A spokesman for 19 Touring said that upon arrival in New York, the tour was informed it would need the state certifications. He said company immediately applied for and was granted the permits.
But the labor department said that for the tour's first three New York shows on August 23, 24 and 25, Sparks and Malakar did not have their individual permits. For all five shows, the company lacked the state eligibility certificate, the department said.
An "American Idol" fan who works for the labor department heard the performers were under 18, did some research and turned the information over to department investigators, the department said.
19 Touring did not return calls from The Associated Press on Friday.
This was the first settlement under a state law enacted in 2003 to protect child perfomers.
Under the law, employers who use performers under 18 must register with the state to ensure compliance with all labor and workers' compensation laws. They must also obtain an employment permit for each minor whose services they use.
No comments:
Post a Comment