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A new report from SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) is claiming that there are systematic abuses in Chinese, Thai, Philippine and Indian factories of the five largest mobile telephone companies: Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG. Workers in factories producing parts for Nokia and Motorola work without proper protection and are exposed to chemicals that cause chronic illnesses and serious physical harm.
SOMO researcher Joseph Wilde explains: "Particularly in the Chinese and Thai factories, where components for mobile telephones are made, a number of international labour and health and safety standards are violated. Employee initiatives to improve working conditions are thwarted by the factory owners."
The research shows that remuneration is often below the minimum wage and that holiday and sick leave are not paid. Employees frequently work between two and five hours of overtime a day, six or seven days a week without proper compensation. Health and safety measures in many factories are inadequate: there is not enough protection from hazardous chemicals nor do workers receive training for working with these toxic substances. This leads to chronic physical complaints from workers. Although, on paper, the companies do have codes of conduct and requirements for suppliers, these are often not followed, especially among sub-tier suppliers, and the major companies do not sufficiently control for compliance.
In a factory in China producing lenses for Motorola phones, researchers encountered nine workers who had been poisoned through unprotected contact with toxic chemicals used in making telephone parts. One of the women was pregnant and had to undergo an abortion because of complications caused by the poisoning. The management of the factory initially refused to provide medical treatment, prolonging the workers' suffering.
In a factory in Thailand making motors for Nokia phones, employees work with lead solder and have to buy their own protective masks and gloves because the company wants to save on 'overhead'. Lead solder contains 40% lead and is so dangerous that it has been banned from electronics by several European regulations. Instead of protective equipment, the workers are given milk to filter the toxins from their blood. Several sick workers were hospitalised and diagnosed with dangerous levels of lead poisoning.
You can
Download the full report (pdf file, 119 pages)
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Posted: 2006-12-12 09:59:34
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interesting. but imo its the responsibility of the local factories, not the brands. why didnt it happen in eu or in the us, when in the past all fones were made in the home counztries?
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Posted: 2006-12-12 10:18:04
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On the contrary boba, I think the mobiles companies do have some responsibility to find out the working practices of these factories before they sign these huge contracts.
The same thing happened to the makers of the iPod a few weeks ago.
Who wants to buy from a manufacturer that helps perpetuate misery and exploitation.
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I 
my W900i[ This Message was edited by: goldenface on 2006-12-12 09:29 ]
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Posted: 2006-12-12 10:28:40
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Residentevil Posts: > 500
I agree with you. Just like Walmart and Nike in the sweatshop scandal. They are also responsible.
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Posted: 2006-12-12 15:51:34
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but is there anything to do against it?
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Posted: 2006-12-12 16:00:54
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Maybe the more conscientious companies should start a network alliance against these factory owners.
Similar to the Fair Trade Alliance.
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I my W900i[ This Message was edited by: goldenface on 2006-12-12 16:41 ]
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Posted: 2006-12-12 16:17:15
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Its simple! Dont buy their product!
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Posted: 2006-12-12 17:37:00
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This is the fault of the factory owners, the governments of the countries and the companies that use the factories.
The owners shouldnt be operating factories like that, the governments shouldnt let them operate factories like that and the companies should refuse to buy goods off factories that let people work in those conditions. if they withdrew their orders they'd soon listen.
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Posted: 2006-12-12 17:45:06
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arrgghhh the price of making Profit
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Posted: 2006-12-12 18:38:29
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