Apple Investigating New Labor Law Abuse Allegations

(Image source: Stock Wizard)

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BY EVAN THOMAS

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Apple is investigating allegations of workforce abuse at one of its new plants, where contracted manufacturers are thought to be assembling a low-budget version of the iPhone.

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A report by local watchdog China Labor Group indicates Florida-based Jabil Circuit has committed multiple violations of local labor law at its factory in Wuxi, China.

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Workers allegedly receive rushed, superficial training; work 11.5 hours at their assembly lines every day; and typically work mandatory, sometimes unpaid overtime that can be in excess of 100 hours a month. (Via China Labor Watch)

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The Guardian reports in certain cases, ?Female workers were asked to take pregnancy tests, which would be both against Chinese law and a breach of the code of practice imposed last year by Apple on all its suppliers.? (Via The Guardian)

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Apple instituted its Supplier Code of Conduct in 2005, and has improved and refined its monitoring in recent years in response to labor issues at Foxconn and Pegatron factories, which ranged from underage employees to suicides. (Via ABC)

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But The Next Web points out despite Apple?s strides to improve its accountability, it and China Labor Watch still aren?t seeing eye-to-eye.

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?In March, Apple claimed a new high of 99 percent compliance with China?s maximum 60-hour work week throughout its supply chain ? although that?s a fact that has been disputed by CLW, which states that 60 hours is a direct violation of China?s 49-hour statutory limit.? (Via The Next Web)

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Apple acknowledged the report in a statement to AllThingsD, saying it takes its supplier concerns seriously. ? ?our team of experts is on-site at Jabil Wuxi to look into the new claims about conditions there.? (Via AllThingsD)

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Jabil issued a similar statement and it, too, says it will send a team of investigators to its Wuxi plant.

Source: http://www.newsy.com/videos/apple-investigating-new-labor-law-abuse-allegations

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