Apple supplier audit found five suppliers used child labour

CAPUCCINO COMPANY Apple has released its 2012 supplier responsibility report, in which the firm claims it made 229 audits during 2011, finding five facilities used child labour.

Last year Apple drew criticism as dire working conditions were revealed at Foxconn, which is one of its major suppliers. Apple was shamed into increasing the number of audits it carries out on suppliers, with the firm saying, "We require that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made."

Apple states "core violations" to its code of conduct are the most serious, requiring immediate rectification. The firm describes core violations as, "underage or involuntary labour, falsification of audit materials, worker endangerment, intimidation or retaliation against workers participating in an audit, and significant threats to the environment".

Apple found 17 facilities had involuntary labour, with two facilities being repeat offenders. Perhaps most serious of all was the use of child labour found in five facilities with Apple citing lack of control in determining age or detecting false documentation.

Apple's report said, "Apple does not tolerate any instance of underage labour," adding it "demands immediate corrective actions and requires suppliers to fix their management practices to prevent future occurrences".

Overall, Apple's report found 26 per cent of its audited suppliers failed to comply with its labour practices.

During Apple's 2011 audits it found 93 facilities having records that indicated more than half the workforce exceeded 60 working hours per week. Pay was also a big problem, with Apple's report citing 42 facilities had "payment practice violations", meaning workers did not receive their wages in a timely manner. And as for all that overtime Apple's auditing uncovered, the firm also found that 108 facilities did not pay proper overtime to their workers.

Apple and other electronics firms should not need the suicides of workers to shame them into taking workers' rights more seriously. Even though Apple has increased the number of audits it undertakes, its report suggests that working at an Apple supplier is not necessarily a nice place to be. µ