Two cases of Cadmium intoxication and two of Cadmium poisoning found among 177 workers manufacturing primary and rechargeable batteries. At least 3 young female workers also died from kidney-related diseases.
Incident Tag: Occupational Hazard
Lack of necessary safety equipment
Samsung’s Audits Ineffective, More Child Workers Uncovered
3 children as low as 14 years of age were discovered in electronics factory (1100 workers): 12 hour daily shifts; over 150 hours of monthly overtime during peak season; crude management culture.
Deterioration of Mattel’s Labor Conditions: An Investigation of Four Factories (Dong Yao -DDYT)
Labor problems at toy factory (900 to 2,100 employees): extreme 180-210 monthly overtime in peak season (June-September); up to 14-15 hour daily shifts 6-7 days/week (including 6-7 hours of daily overtime); overtime illegally paid; lack of a living wage; 15 minute daily unpaid work; safety concerns; spray paint workers did not wear masks.
Coal mine cable car plunges, killing 20
20 workers killed and 14 injured after elevator cable snaps. A notice of suspension had previously been issued to Qusheng Coalmine. A villager around the coalmine alleges that though the coalmine did not operate during the day, it still did secretly at night.
34 workers poisoned by alkane used for wiping cell-phone screens; some are too ill to take care of themselves.
34 workers poisoned by alkane used for wiping cell-phone screens at factory.
An Investigation of Eight Samsung Factories in China (Samsung 6)
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.
Kingmaker Footwear (Timberland made in China)
Harsh working conditions at factory producing clothes and footwear: verbal harassment, physical abuse, 13.5 hours in the factory (11 work hours), child laborers of 14 to 16 years old, 16 workers sleep in one room.
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).
Beyond Foxconn:Deplorable Working Conditions Characterize Apple’s Entire Supply Chain (Pegatron)
Labor violations at factory (~5,000 workers) producing parts for consumer electronics: age discrimination upon hiring (16 – 35 years old); use of chlid labor (as low as 16); 12 hour daily shifts; workers have one day off/month during off season; during peak season they have 1 day off every two months (143 – 154 hours monthly overtime); 24 hour shift when workers switch from morning to evening shift; local minimum wage pay; overtime required to cover living costs; overall average wage 3,000 RMB (≈$476); verbally abusive managers; poor air quality and toxic chemical exposure; reported injury burns.
61 Workers Injured in Explosion at Shanghai Apple Supplier
Blast occurs at computer accessory factory producing metal cases for iPad 2; 61 workers injured.