Samsung vows to improve labor conditions (2)

In a follow-up investigation in October and November, CLW found that excessive overtime is one of the most persistent aspects of labor violations in Samsung's China factories.

The worst situation was in a Samsung supplier factory called Chitwing Mould Industry (Dongguan) Co, where workers sometimes put in more than 220 hours of overtime every month, far above the legal limit of 36 hours of overtime every month.

Workers in the company sometimes worked up to 15 or 16 hours per day, with perhaps one day of rest every month.

"Workers need to report labor violations in order for them to be exposed, but most workers in China are still afraid of challenging their companies," Liu Jiahui, a lawyer at Beijing-based Derun Law Firm, told the Global Times Wednesday.

Liu said that if the violations are found to be very serious, the company involved may face a fine or even be forced to halt production by the Chinese labor authorities.

To avoid further violations, Samsung said that hotlines are being established "for workers at supplier companies to report anonymously any inhumane treatment or violations of labor laws."

Also, Samsung said it will continue to monitor working conditions at its factories, and from 2013 it will ensure the independence of the audits by launching a third-party audit program.

Recommended Features: Vibrant Opportunities amid Transition From 'Made in China' to 'Created in China' A Journey to Cultural Renaissance The Vision of A Pillar Industry China: A Fast-growing Force in IPR IPR in China: Local Roots Bearing Global Fruits A Decade of Fastest Development Eastern Boom Lightens Western Gloom Chinese firms 'potential Trojan horses'？