The study of Jenny Chan and Charles Ho (both SACOM, Hong Kong) was written on the basis of svereal interviews with workers at supplier factories ogf well-known computer companies. It paints a grim picture of the working conditions in the industry.
In the cases of the investigated suppliers Compeq Technology (supplier of Dell, Lenovo, a.o.) and Excelsior Electronics (supplier of Fujitsu Siemens Computers, a.o.) there are massive violations of the national labour law, the Conventions of the International Labour Organisation, and the brand companies’ own codes of conduct.
“The workers are under great stress. This is not only owed to overtime work, but also to the strict factory regime. Compeq even has rules stating how staff must move while in the factory, and how the hair must be worn”, says Charles Ho from SACOM.
Before publication, the brand companies were given the chance to react to the reproaches made by the study. According to Sarah Bormann of WEED, “the brand companies’ conduct is disgraceful. That means that usually there are attempts to cover up business ties with the investigated factories and problems are played down. Not one of the brand companies has so far announced concrete measures for the improvement of the working conditions”.
WEED and SACOM demand from the brand companies that they assume responsibility for their supply chains. Through pricing pressure and tightly calculated delivery deadlines, they directly influence the working conditions. “The workforce represents the industry’s buffer of flexibility. This is currently becoming apparent through the effects of the financial crisis which have also hit the Chinese export industry. Consequently, Compeq and Excelsior have also laid off migrant workers”, says Jenny Chan of SACOM.
Content:
1. Introduction
2. China`s Electronics Industry: Migrant Workers on the Line
3. Research Methodology
3.1. Case Study I: Excelsior Electronics
3.2. Case Study II: Compeq Technology
4. Appeal to Computer Multinationals
5. Appeal to Public Institutions and Polical Decision Makers
The brochure is available at WEED (www.weed-online.org) for 2 Euros.</P>
External link
