Thirty-three members of the U.S. House of Representatives – none representing Alabama – have signed a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Labor to look into the use of children in Hyundai’s labor supply.

“Clearly, there is a systemic effort within the Hyundai supply chain to recruit child labor from abroad, undermining workers in other parts of the U.S. auto industry. And it must be addressed immediately,” the letter reads.

“It is abhorrent this activity continues even after a DOL investigation. We urge DOL to take immediate action to rid Hyundai’s supply chain of child labor and hold those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.”

The letter was signed by lawmakers from Michigan, California, North Carolina, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Washington State, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Nevada.

Last December, Reuters reported that at least four major auto parts suppliers in Alabama for Hyundai and Kia have used child labor recently, and state and federal investigators are looking into whether children were employed at up to six suppliers.

Reuters originally reported last July that children as young as 12 were employed at SMART Alabama in Luverne, which has supplied parts for Hyundai’s Montgomery plant since 2003.

Both SL Alabama and JK USA, an Opelika temporary employment agency, earlier this year paid fines from federal court and the Alabama Department of Labor, after investigators found workers as young as 13 employed in one factory.

The fines came after an investigation found that JK USA provided the underage workers to SL Alabama without required documentation.

In October, Hyundai Global Chief Operating Officer Jose Munoz said the company intends to “sever relations” with SL Alabama and SMART Alabama “as soon as possible.”

However, the lawmakers stated they are “concerned that Hyundai, at DOL’s suggestion, reversed course on this commitment and will not cut ties with its Alabama suppliers that use child labor.”

The letter cites the investigations and published reports, saying “more must be done to eliminate child labor from the U.S. auto supply chain.”

“Many of these children are immigrants recruited from Central America, working under fake names in dangerous conditions in manufacturing plants, some driving forklifts and operating welding equipment, and receiving serious workplace injuries,” the letter states.

“This is shocking, disturbing and has no place in the U.S.”