McDonald's fined for employing underage workers

Fast food chain McDonald's has pleaded guilty to five charges of employing children under the age of 15 at its Rockingham outlet south-west of Perth.

The Department for Consumer Protection says McDonald's was fined $8,000 for employing the children without written permission from their parents and having them working outside restricted hours.

Bob Horstman from the department says a letter of warning was sent to McDonald's last year outlining the laws and giving them time to ensure their rosters complied.

He says in fast food restaurants, it is an offence to employ a child under 15 without written permission, or allow them to work shifts before 6:00am or after 10:00pm.