Apple Discovers Child Labor, Slave Labor and Discrimination Among Suppliers

Wage, Environmental and Safety Violations Also Found

Each year, Apple audits it’s suppliers to ensure they conform to Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct. In 2011, Apple’s Supplier Responsibility Team conducted 229 audits (published today), an 80% increase over the previous year, and many facilities were audited for the first time. The infractions found were a bit unsettling, such as:

• 5 facilities using child labor (down from 10 facilities in 2010)
• 78 facilites where a workstation or machine was missing safety devices
• 15 facilities where foreign contract workers paid substantial fees to labor agencies ($3.3 million reimbursed in 2011)
• 108 facilities that did not pay proper overtime wages
• 67 facilities that deducted wages as a disciplinary measure
• 93 facilities where more than 50% of employees exceeded 60 hour work week limits
• 112 facilities mishandling, improperly storing or moving hazardous waste

Needless to say, Apple was not pleased with these results and has taken steps to correct these actions, including the termination of business with one supplier. Beginning in 2009, Apple began “Worker Empowerment” training, which informs employees of their rights, local labor laws, as well as occupational health and safety. By doing this, they hope to one day eliminate the immoral, unethical and illegal practices unearthed in this audit.