Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 10:50 AM Sep 2012

Samsung slammed for alleged worker mistreatment in China

Last edited Wed Sep 5, 2012, 12:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: IDG News Service

IDG News Service - A labor rights group has accused Samsung of "illegal and inhumane violations" at its factories in China, reporting cases of excessive overtime and exhausting working conditions, with employees being made to stand for up to 12 hours for a single shift.

By interviewing workers and going undercover as employees, New York-based China Labor Watch said Tuesday it had investigated eight factories in China, six of which were Samsung-owned, the other two being suppliers to the company.

In all the factories but one, the group said it found that workers' overtime for at least half of the year reached or exceeded 100 hours per month. In some instances, workers were given only one day off a month. At a Samsung factory in Tianjin that produces mobile displays, overtime can reach 186 hours during months of peak demand, the labor group said.

Four of the factories forced employees to work overtime, China Labor Watch said. But in general, workers at other factories choose to log the extra hours to supplement their low salaries, which can vary from US$200 to $250 a month. With overtime during the busy season, workers can bring their total monthly wages to between $600 and $800.

Read more: http://www.macworld.com/article/1168420/samsung_slammed_for_alleged_worker_mistreatment_in_china.html

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Esse Quam Videri

(685 posts)
1. Crap, there goes my plans to get a Galaxy S III as my next phone.
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 10:58 AM
Sep 2012

Guess I'll get another iPhone - though does anyone know if Apple has cleaned up their act as far as labor goes?

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
3. Yes. Apple was the first tech company to join Fair Labor Association.
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 11:20 AM
Sep 2012

And they are personally increasing worker's salary and overseeing better conditions in Chinese factories.

Apple first tech company to join Fair Labor Association
http://www.slashgear.com/apple-first-tech-company-to-join-fair-labor-association-16209436

Apple manufacturer Foxconn improves on Chinese workers' hours and safety
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/21/apple-manufacturer-foxconn-improves-safety

Apple believed to be subsidizing wage increases at Foxconn
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/09/03/apple_believed_to_be_subsidizing_wage_increases_at_foxconn.html

The iPhone 5 will be announced on the 12th and delivered on the 21st.

sir pball

(4,726 posts)
4. Samsung makes that, too
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 11:23 AM
Sep 2012

26% of the iP4 including the DRAM, the Flash and the A5 processor are all Samsung parts. They have a finger in just about every pie, the only other company I can think of off the top of my head that has the resources to build a phone in-house is LG...and after a bit of searching, Sammy makes the Snapdragon processors for them as well.

I'm not going to say it's impossible to avoid them but you'll have to do some serious hunting.

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
2. I can almost hear the Darth Vader theme song behind this one. Apple PR firms busy these days . . .
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 11:17 AM
Sep 2012

As if Apple doesn't also exploit Chinese labor.

Earth_First

(14,910 posts)
5. Absolutely what I thought...
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 11:24 AM
Sep 2012

What with the recent settlement and it's current import ban litigation, it wouldn't surprise me to see Apple at the bottom of this rabbit hole...

Kettle, meet pot

Iggo

(47,486 posts)
8. I'm starting to believe, and correct me if I'm wrong...
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 12:41 PM
Sep 2012

...but it's starting to look like anyone who has a factory in China is exploiting Chinese workers.

I know. It's crazy.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
6. Not LBN - news is from yesterday 4th September.
Wed Sep 5, 2012, 11:43 AM
Sep 2012

Here for example http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/green-computing/3379368/samsung-slammed-for-alleged-worker-mistreatment-in-china/.

Even that is a day after Samsung said it would investigate. Meanwhile I guess they'd better shut down their component supplies to Apple whose products are c. 40% Samsung components.



My new Galaxy Note arrived in the mail this morning.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Samsung slammed for alleg...