Apple’s Unkept Promises: Investigation of Three Pegatron Group Factories Supplying to Apple (RiTeng)

Labor violations at factory producing exterior components for computers: hiring discrimination over gender and age (below 35 years old); inadequate training; work 7 days/week during peak season (126 hours of monthly overtime); 14 hour monthly unpaid overtime; 12 hour daily shifts; more if daily quota isn’t met; coerced overtime; work while standing for some workers; inadequate fire protection; 40 confirmed student workers (16 – 18 years old); base salary inadequate to cover basic needs ($233 month) ($1.34 per hour); workers dependent on overtime; workers trained by management during audit visits; wastewater poured into the sewage system.

The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 10)

Labor violations at garment factory (1,000 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 2,000-3,600 kyat (€1.51 – €2.71); occasions of workers toiling for less than legal minimum wage; cases of child labor (below 18 years of age); some workers were younger than 15 years old when they started at the factory; workers have not received health and safety training; inadequate protective masks; workers breathing in fabric complain over respiratory problems, coughs and sore throats; electrical and wire shocks; boiler accidents resulting to injury; about half the workforce does not receive social security.

Samsung’s sub-standard labour practices in India

Interviews underline labor concerns at Samsung facility (~2, 500 workers) manufacturing air-conditions and refrigerators: salaries not enough to meet monthly expenses and to provide for their families; monthly wages between Rs 6,200 – Rs 12,000 ($92 – $178); hiring of contract workers/apprentices for the same work, but lower pay; 10-11 hour daily shifts during high season, 6-7 days/week; cases of unpaid overtime wage; compulsory overtime; workers victimised, dismissed, or put under pressure to resign, if they attempt to unionise.

The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 9)

Labor violations at garment factory (1,500 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 1,800-3,600 kyat (€1.36 – €2.71); occasions of workers toiling for as low as half the legal minimum wage; regular work over 60 hours/week; at times as many as 66 hours/week; as many as 14 hours/day for 6-7 times/month; forced overtime; cases of child labor (below 18 years of age); labor aged as low as 14 years; some workers were younger than 15 years old when they started at the factory; safety issues; electrical and wire shocks.

The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 8)

Labor concerns at garment factory (300 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 3,600 kyat (€2.71); regular work 60 -68 hours/week; unpaid overtime if production target isn’t met; child labor (16-18 years of age); workers do not receive any health and safety training; protective gear provided only when buyers visit the factory; high temperatures; most workers don’t have a social security card; workers afraid of dismissal if they join a trade union.

Meet Dorsen, 8, who mines cobalt to make your smartphone work

Investigation has found wretched working conditions in unregulated artisanal mines where cobalt is extracted for smartphones: abundant child labor; as young as four years old working; 12-hour daily shifts; workers earning as little as 8p a day; desperately dangerous conditions; exposure to cobalt and dust fumes; mine tunnels are dug by hand by miners who have no protective equipment; recent death reported due to mine collapse.

The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 7)

Labor violations at garment factory (800 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 1,800-3,600 kyat (€1.36 – €2.71); occasions of workers toiling for as low as half the legal minimum wage; 4 hours weekly unpaid overtime; child labor (16-18 years of age).

The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 4)

Labor issues at garment factory (3,500 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 3,600 kyat (€2.71); cases of child labor (workers 16-18 years of age).

Branded Childhood (factory 1)

Labor violations at garment factory (5,500 workers): non-living wages; monthly base wages between BDT 5,300 – BDT 14,084 (€ 61.90 – € 164.50); and work regularly over 60 hour/week; occasions of 78 hour workweeks (5 hours of daily overtime) during urgent shipments.

The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 3)

Labor violations at garment factory (1,300 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 2,700-3,600 kyat (€2.03 – €2.71); occasions of workers toiling for less than legal minimum wage; unpaid overtime if production target isn’t met; cases of child labor (16-18 years of age); workers working less than a year are not provided with social security; workers afraid to join a union.