137 workers poisoned following exposure to n-hexane, a chemical used to clean mobile screens, Apple acknowledges. Other sources claim higher worker number. Workers hospitalized. Symptoms included nervous damage, muscular weakness or atrophy, paralysis, dizziness and others. Incidents begun mid-July 2009.
Child labor, as well cases of excessive working-hours, hazardous waste and emissions, dangerous occupational environments, discrimination, and bonded labor found in audit of factories in 14 different countries initiated by Apple on its own supply chain.
Gross and systematic labour abuses are found at iPad mini manufacturer, including excessive and unpaid overtime, abusive use of student labor, and hazardous working environments, according to NGO investigation.
Fire ravages textile factory complex – at least 248 killed, many of whom were workers trapped behind locked doors.
Poor conditions in factory (over 2,000 employees) manufacturing plastic toys; use of child laborers (16 years old); 12 hour daily work shifts (14 hours overall factory stay); 6 days/week; inadequate safety precautions on workers exposed to hazardous substances; factory fired ~70 workers protesting over pay and workhours.
Very poor conditions at shoe factory (over 15,000 workers): frequent suicides; discrimination against workers; 10 hour regular daily shifts; at least 11 hour daily shifts, 6 days/week during peak seasons; exposure to extreme high temperatures and chemicals; lack of safety equipment.
Investigation report at factory producing balls and other sports equipment reveals: 10-11 daily work shifts; 6 days/week; mandated overtime during peak season (October-June); work at least 84 hours/week in peak season; reported injuries; incidents of guards beating employees.
Report on shoe factory (YY-G3 factory) finds: 11 hour work shifts at peak season; plus 8 hour work on Saturday; very hot work space; forming and boiler workers work on up to 40 degrees temperature.
Male factory worker (Zhao Jianju) dies of heat stroke.
3 dead and 16 injured at polishing workshop from explosion of combustible dust in a duct, initial findings suggest.
