Report uncovers legal violations and labor abuses in 6 Samsung factories producing electronics: exhaustive working conditions; factory reaching 186 hours/month during peak season; work well over 100 hours of overtime/month in 5 factories; in all factories overtime surpasses the legal limit (36 hours/month); hiring of child workers in 3 factories; 11-12 hour shifts.
Incident Tag: Forced Overtime
Based on article 8(3)(a) of the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ―no one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labor‖.
According to article 2(1) of the Forced Labor Convention of 1930, ―the term forced or compulsory labor shall mean all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.‖
Additionally, based on Article 13(1) ―The normal working hours of any person from whom forced or compulsory labor is exacted shall be the same as those prevailing in the case of voluntary labor, and the hours worked in excess of the normal working hours shall be remunerated at the rates prevailing in the case of overtime for voluntary labor.‖
Follow-up Investigations of Five Samsung Factories (4 Samsung Factories)
Follow-up investigations at 4 Samsung factories revealed no improvements since report published 2 months ago. ‘Worker violations, such as illegally long overtime hours, abuse of dispatch, underage, and student workers, employment discrimination, unfair treatment, low wages, and more still exist at Samsung factories.’
Samsung’s Supplier Factory Exploiting Child Labor
Violations at factory (2.000 employees) producing mobile phones, mp3s, DVDs, etc:Research indicates student workers amount to 80% of the factory workforce; approximately 50-100 children working; youngest worker spotted was 14 years old; low wages for children, 70% less than formal employees; discrimination based on sex and age; 11 hours daily work shifts (including 3-5 hours of forced overtime).
Toys of Misery 2004: A Joint Report by National Labor Committee and China Labor Watch
Workers making plastic toys on 18-20.5 hour shifts; mandatory 7 day workweeks; 30 days a month; pay below minimum wage; 16 ½ cents an hour on average; organizing a union is strictly prohibited; 20 people share one dorm room.
Kong Tai Shoes Mfg. Co., Ltd
Very low wages, 15.5 hours work/day, 30 days/month in peak season, 13.5 hour work per day under normal conditions, use of toxic substances without protective equipment, workers trained to lie when inspected by auditors.
Xin Qiao Electronics
16.5 hours work a day during peak seasons for workers, all standing, 30 days/month. 15.5 hours of work under normal conditions. Extremely low wages. Heavy workload. Humiliating and abusive management.
Tragedies of Globalization: The Truth Behind Electronics Sweatshops
Very low wages. If production quota is not met workers must work unpaid additional overtime. Excessive workhours – 12hours/day. During peak season, there are only 1 to 2 days of rest each month. Talking is strictly forbidden. If managers discover mistakes, they verbally abuse workers. In certain departments, workers must stand for their entire shift. Evening shift workers show exhaustion and significant health deterioration.
Tragedies of Globalization: The Truth Behind Electronics Sweatshops
Significantly low wages, and production quotas which if not reached workers must toil additional hours without overtime pay assembling wires.
Tragedies of Globalization: The Truth Behind Electronics Sweatshops
11-12 work hours each day, for 30 days each month – monthly overtime exceeding 142 hours – during peak season (September – November). If workers do not work overtime, they won’t get a living wage. Malfunctioning machines lead in the past to over 8 major accidents resulting in life-long disabilities. Work pace is fast, no time to use the bathroom. Managers speak harshly and crudely to workers.
Tragedies of Globalization: The Truth Behind Electronics Sweatshops
Low wages and 10 hour work time, including mandatory overtime manufacturing electronic devices. If production quotas are not met, additional mandatory overtime is in order. Poor working environment with no ventilation, no free masks, extremely loud noises and skin radiation.