02/08, 2:22pm
New guidelines require workers be voluntary, limit student assemblers
Addressing its own issues with the Chinese labor force used to manufacture its devices, Hewlett Packard today issued new standards and practices for assembly companies. HP has declared that all workers must be voluntary, free to choose not to work, or quit if displeased. Furthermore, if students are selected for work, the work must be relevant to their studies. Limits on the quantity of student workers has been addressed as well.
more
11/26, 6:27am
Samsung to institute independent audits, regular checks of suppliers
Samsung has conducted its own investigation into supplier practices following accusations that some of its suppliers have been guilty of using child labor in China. Samsung’s internal audit was conducted over four weeks in September and covered 105 of its Chinese suppliers. While the audit did not uncover the use of child labor, Samsung admits that it found evidence of “inadequate practices at the facilities.”
more
09/03, 5:00pm
Manufacturer ahead of schedule on correcting problems, says FLA
An analyst with Berenberg Bank has told investors he believes that Apple must be subsidizing the recent pay hikes that have been given to workers at the Foxconn facilities Apple and other electronics makers use to manufacture iPhones and other consumer devices. Foxconn has been approaching its various partners -- Apple included -- to help subsidize the cost of labor pay increases as well as expansion and improvement of existing facilities, AppleInsider reports.
more
08/08, 3:10am
Supplier manufactures phones, MP3 players for Korean company
According to watchdog agency China Labor Watch, a HEG Electronics-owned factory that assembles products for Samsung Electronics has been hiring underage workers, and violating Chinese labor laws. During the investigation, the auditor discovered seven underage workers, and believed that many more illegal workers remained undiscovered by the spot audit. The factory assembles mobile phones, stereo equipment, and MP3 players for Samsung.
more
