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.‖

Dirty Toys Made in China Holiday Toys Made Under Sweatshop Conditions. December 10, 2015

“Both hands must be constantly moving.” 12 to 13-plus hour shifts in near freezing conditions, earning as little as $1.36 an hour. Fumes from chemicals including industrial alcohol, phenylenediamine and sodium peroxide cause nausea, dizziness and headaches.

Two Years of Broken Promises

Two investigations throughout 2013-2014 find labor violations at factory (20,000 workers) including: excessive overtime nearly 100 hours/month, hazardous waste poured into a nearby river, unsafe working environment. Catcher workers have “suffered skin and eye irritation, and are at risk for more serious health problems” making tablet computers, smartphones and laptops.

Who Else Continues to Exploit Toy Workers? (Mattel Electronics Dongguan)

“Workers will easily accumulate more than 100 hours of overtime month”, some even reaching 118 hours of overtime in factory making toys.

Barbie, Mickey Mouse, Optimus Prime, Thomas the Tank Engine: Who Else Continues to Exploit Toy Workers? (Coronet Toys)

“work is at least 11.5 hours a day” for every Coronet worker handling “poisonous to human health” chemicals with limited or no protective equipment. Their dormitories stack up to 18 workers per room.

Dirty Frying Pans: An investigation of labor abuses in five Chinese cookware factories (Master)

Workers exposed to hazardous toxins such as “polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) during the coating process and a wax stripper substance, which are poisonous to human health, without wearing protective masks”. Factories lack essential safety precautions such as carbon masks, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, etc.

ANOTHER SAMSUNG SUPPLIER EXPLOITING CHILD LABOR

Adult and child workers (including 5 children under 16) are made to work 11 hours per day, as many as 30 days per month coming in contact with harmful chemicals, such as industrial alcohol and thinners. Monthly overtime may reach up to 120 hours.

Investigative Report on HEG Technology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd

117 children working at the factory (10 of them being below 16); exhaustive 12 hour daily shifts on their feet, including compulsory overtime reaching to 4-5 hours.

iExploitation: Apple Supplier Jabil Exploits Workers to Meet iPhone 6 Demands (Sep 25, 2014)

Labor violations at factory (30,000 workers) including: unsafe working environment, verbally abusive management, workforce dependent on overtime wages, cases of unpaid overtime wages, crowded dormitories (8 people/per room).

Secret video of ‘exhausted workforce’ in Chinese factory making Apple products

Forced overtime; labor reaching to 18 hours/day; cramped dormitories; limited or no brakes cause exhaustion to workforce which falls asleep on duty.

Follow-up Investigation of Worker Strike at Jingyu Toy Products

Occasions of long overtime in busy seasons. Worker explains: “The factory makes workers toil until 2 in the morning, still expecting them to come to work later in the morning for the day shift.”