Incident Tag: Non-Living Wage

Wage described as workers not being able to make endsmeet. Overtime is required. BY the CCC : “This means that a living wage should • be paid to all workers and a lower minimum wage would be illegal • be earned within a standard working week, that is no longer than 48 hours • be a basic wage: exclusive of benefits, bonuses and overtime pay • cover the basic needs of the worker and his/her family • provide a discretionary income amounting to at least 10% of the basic wage.”

Suicides Spark Inquiries

13 suicides from the beginning of the year have been recorded at digital products factory (~820,000 workers); 10 deaths; 3 failed attempts. Many workers suffer from excessive stress and exhaustion,  caused by military-style rigor, repetitive work and long hours over the legal minimum. Worker wages (900 RMB per month) is deemed insufficient to cover basic living expenses in their home city, and thus workers have no choice but to work massive amounts of overtime.

After Suicides, Scrutiny of China’s Grim Factories

19 year-old worker (Ma Xiangqian) at factory producing electronics leaped from high floor to his death. The month before his death he worked 286 hours (including 112 hours overtime, three times the legal limit), and got paid ~$1 per hour.

Did Dreams Come True? Workers still live in fear of occupational injury

Very poor conditions at factory producing paper goods; 13.5 hour daily work shifts during peak seasons; mandatory overtime on Saturdays and sometimes on Sundays; at least 81 hours work per week (at least 96 hours factory stay); wages as low as $0.66/hour; serious lack of workplace safety; occurring injuries.

 

 

Wal-Mart Standards Fail, Workers Suffer

Report raises concerns over labor violations in 5 factories supplying Walmart including: low wages, long work shifts (100-140 hours/month), auditors getting tricked by factory management.

Unhappy Holidays at Merton Factory

Report uncovers: excessive worker overtime (123 hours/month); 6 days/week workload;  low monthly wages ($206-$221 including overtime); and student workers at factory (~10,000 people) producing plastic toys.

 

Wal-Mart’s Road to Sustainability: Paved with False Promises? (Ηuasheng)

Labor violations in factory (1400-1500 workers) producing packaging products: 11 -11.5 hour shifts in busy seasons, 7 days/week (77 hours/week overall); extremely low wages ($0.51/hour), that is 60% of the minimum wage; inhaling large amounts of paper particles and other debris; elaborate audit cheating system.

Shattered Dreams: Underage Worker Death at Factory Supplying to Disney, Other International Brands

17 year old worker dead, his body mutilated by a malfunctioning paper crushing machine in color printing and binding factory rife with labor violations; many child workers; some as young as 13 being hired; low wages ($113/month); no safety training; old and outdated factory machines; injuries; 2 hours daily overtime during slow season; up to 4 hours overtime at peak season; only 2 days of rest per month; 14 workers share a single room.