Samsung announced it discovered instances of unsafe work conditions and inadequate management at HEG Electronics, a supplier based in Huizhou, China. The investigation came after a report by New York-based China Labor Watch claimed it found seven workers under the age of 16 at the facility during an undercover sting in June and July, but Samsung says it's own investigation found no underage workers at the factory. Full details at PC World. Samsung has demanded that HEG immediately improve its working conditions, and said it will inspect 105 of its suppliers in China to ensure they're in compliance with labor laws and company policies.
Samsung said it investigated all employees at the factory, performing face-to-face ID checks, reviewing human resource records, and conducting interviews with student workers. But while the company found no underage workers, it said its audit was limited by the factory's high staff turnover rate, which it put at around 30 percent per month.
Previously, Chinese authorities also said they had found no underage workers at the factory. China Labor Watch could not immediately be reached for comment, but in the past the group has said the underage workers were using fake identification. China Labor Watch also noted that the factory was "driving off" the underage workers from the factory, following media reports on the alleged employment.
