Dunkin’ stores cited in labor cases

AROUND THE REGION

June 07, 2011|By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff

Four Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners face more than $13,000 in fines after the state attorney general’s office cited them for multiple child labor violations.

Timothy E. Cloe of Dartmouth and his business partner, Sebastian Agapite of Canton, were fined nearly $6,000 for violations at their five shops in Dartmouth, Fall River, Westport, and Fairhaven.

State investigators, responding to complaints, audited the company’s records and discovered the franchises employed minors without work permits.

Minors were also working before the earliest permissible hour, after the latest permissible hour, and more than the maximum number of hours allowed per day.

A separate probe of two other franchise owners revealed multiple child labor violations at five stores in Fiskdale, Oxford, Sturbridge, and Southbridge, state investigators said.

James Carafotes of Sutton and business partner Dinart Serpa of Beverly were fined a total of $7,700 for violations that included employing minors without work permits, failing to post all minors’ work schedules, and employing minors before the earliest legal hour and after the latest hour that is permitted.

Karen Raskopf, a Dunkin’ Donuts spokeswoman, said, the company takes the issue seriously and has “have reminded our Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees, who make day-to-day operating decisions for their restaurants, … that they need to make sure they are in compliance with the applicable laws.’’

Attorney General Martha Coakley said in a statement: “Many teens are trying to balance jobs with their education. Our child labor laws are designed to protect minors from injury and ensure that working time does not unduly interfere with learning.’’

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