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Summary: The move was prompted by a report released by the New York-based rights group China Labor Watch in August, which claimed that HEG Electronics, a firm assembling mobile phones for Samsung in the southern Chinese city of Huizhou, employed children under the age of 16.
[3 September 2012] - The South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics will inspect nearly 250 factories belonging to its Chinese suppliers, after a US-based group accused one of using child labour. Samsung said the on-site inspections would be carried out at 105 Chinese firms with exclusive Samsung contracts, while 144 other non-exclusive suppliers would be required to provide documentation proving their compliance with labour codes. "We are implementing a rigorous plan to address any potential violations," the company said in a statement, adding that it would terminate contracts with any Chinese suppliers in violation of labour norms. The one-site inspections will be carried out by a 100-member team by the end of September. The move was prompted by a report released by the New York-based rights group China Labor Watch in August, which claimed that HEG Electronics, a firm assembling mobile phones for Samsung in the southern Chinese city of Huizhou, employed children under the age of 16. Initial audits conducted by Samsung found HEG employed teenaged student workers and interns, but none younger than 16, the company said. However, it did uncover a system of fines for lateness and absence, which is illegal in China, as well as excessive overtime and inadequate health and safety standards. Samsung said it had asked HEG to improve working conditions.  Further Information:Â
pdf: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-04/an-samsung-to-check-china-supplier...