Abuse persists in Apple factories

APPLE   FOXCONN   SUPPLY CHAIN

China – Apple suppliers are once again under public scrutiny for harsh working conditions and the violation of employee rights in their factories.

China Labor Watch, a labour rights group based in the US, has uncovered several employee rights infringements during its four-month investigation on Apple's suppliers in China.

The group's report revealed the factory employees had been working in "harmful, damaging work environments characterised by illegally long hours for low levels of pay".

It found that employees of Riteng, one of Apple's suppliers under Pegatron Corp, were working 36 hours over the legal limit each month.

In an email to Reuters, an Apple spokesperson said the Apple team has conducted "thorough audits at every facility", under its supplier responsibility programme.

With Foxconn placed under scrutiny since 2010 for its dire labour conditions, Apple had brought in the Fair Labor Association to keep its factories in check.

In March this year, the supplier agreed to improve its wages and factory working conditions.

However, suicide threats resurfaced in May as workers remained dissatisfied over their wages.

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