Samsung Finds ‘Inadequate’ Working Conditions In China, But No Evidence On Child Labor

Posted on Nov 26 2012 - 12:20pm by Editorial Staff

Samsung today shared what it called self as the corrective measures of working conditions at supplier factories in China. The South-Korean giant in response to China Labor Watch’s reports on its suppliers revealed that the company has conducted an audit over a four-week period in September of 105 suppliers which manufacture Samsung products in China, covering a total of 65,000 employees.

Here is what company planned now:

Corrective Actions in Progress

New Hiring Process to Avoid Child Labor

  • Samsung has a zero tolerance policy on child labor violations. Although we did not identify any child labor during our audits in September, we have demanded all suppliers to adopt a new hiring process immediately, and contracts with suppliers who use child labor will be terminated.
  • All candidates will be interviewed in person before hiring to strengthen identity verification measures and to detect fake IDs.
  • Samsung demanded all suppliers to purchase an electronic device to effectively detect fake IDs by the end of November 2012.
  • Special guidelines on the banning of child labor were distributed to all suppliers with necessary training provided. The guidelines will include Samsung’s strong commitments to prevent circumstances of child labor and its pre- and post-actions to prevent employment with fake IDs.

Immediate Actions to Complete by the End of 2012

  • Hiring discrimination will continue to be prohibited.
  • Samsung has demanded all suppliers to correct irregularities in labor contracts and distribute one copy to all employees.
  • A fines/penalty system has been abolished.
  • Samsung has enforced all suppliers to provide adequate safety equipment and sufficient safety training.
  • Samsung has demanded all suppliers to provide first-aid kits at manufacturing facilities and dormitories.
  • Samsung has recommended all suppliers to provide additional training for managers on sexual harassment and physical and verbal abuse.
  • Hotlines at Samsung subsidiaries are being established for workers at supplier companies to report anonymously any inhumane treatment or violations of labor laws.

Commitments to Address Working Hours

We have identified the need for initiatives to reduce employee overtime as a top priority, and we are researching and developing measures that will eliminate hours beyond legal limits by the end of 2014.

  • Samsung will develop a longer term plan to resolve working hour practices by the end of 2012.
  • Samsung will demand all suppliers to cap temporary workers at a maximum of 30% of full-time employees.
  • Samsung will financially support suppliers in China to increase investment in equipment and to hire additional workers.

Corrective action plans tailored to each supplier are currently under development.

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