Supplier factory of Samsung, Lenovo violates rights of children and students

Only six weeks after the latest revelation of child labor in Samsung’s supply chain, China Labor Watch (CLW) has again uncovered child workers and student workers employed under exploitative conditions at a Samsung and Lenovo supplier factory called HEG Electronics in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. Lenovo is a Global Compact participant since 05-01-2009. The Global Compact 5th Principle states that "Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour." Lenovo was a USD 15,000 contributor to the Global Compact Foundation in 2014, 2013, 2011 and USD 10,000 in 2009.

Fashion firm Zara accused of involvement in ’slave labor’ factories

According to Argentinian investigators, workers at factories which produce garments for fashion retailer Zara have been discovered in “degrading” sweatshop conditions. The workers — including children — were allegedly made to work 13-hour shifts, were not allowed to leave without permission, and were forced to work without breaks. More on Smartplanet. Zara is part of Spanish group Inditex, Industrias de Diseno Textil, S.A.,(ITX:Continuous), (ITX:SM), (ES:ITX) a Global Compact participant since 2001/09/19. Inditex was a Silver contributor to the Global Compact Foundation in 2012.

Microsoft investigating report of child labor violations in China

An investigation released Tuesday by the non-profit National Labor Committee reported that Microsoft's hardware division has been contracting with a factory in China that recruits teenagers as young as 14 who work under abusive conditions in 15-hour daily shifts for as little as 52 cents an hour, after deductions for factory food. More on Business Journal. Microsoft Corp. is a Global Compact participant since 2006/11/08.