Samsung to continue using ‘child labour’ supplier

Tech giant Samsung Electronics has said it will reduce dealings with parts supplier Dongguan Shinyang Electronics by 30%, after evidence was discovered that the firm has used child labour.

China-based Dongguan Shinyang came under fire in July, when campaign group China Labor Watch (CLW) found at least five child workers were employed by the company.

Following the revelation, Samsung suspended business with the parts supplier while it awaited results from its own investigations.

Samsung said in a statement in July that the company has a “zero tolerance policy on child labour” and said business with Dongguan Shinyang would be permanently stopped if reports on child labour were confirmed.

Samsung officials did find evidence of child labour at the supply company, but the investigation concluded Dongguan Shinyang did not directly employ underage workers, blaming instead a subcontractor.

They also say there are now no underage workers employed at Dongguan Shinyang.

Therefore, the mobile phone manufacturer said in a statement, “Samsung has decided to still take measures against Dongguan Shinyang to hold the supplier responsible for failing to monitor its subcontractors, in accordance with Samsung’s zero tolerance policy on child labour.

“Samsung will continue to further strengthen its monitoring process of its suppliers to prevent such a case from recurring.”

Chinese law forbids workers being hired under the age of 16, but this is not the first time Samsung has been mixed up in incidents involving child labour. CLW also found accounts of worker exploitation in 2012, during their three investigations of supplier HEG Electronics.

Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns via Flickr

Take our 2014 reader survey and you could win an iPad, Kindle or donation to a charity of your choice.

Further reading:

Samsung accused of using child labour in its supply chain

UN announces new measures to fight child labour

Credit Suisse accused of ignoring human rights commitments

Qatar announces labour reform following accusations of slavery

Students call for end to workers’ rights abuses