Electronics companies accused of forced and child labour

Over 50 electronics companies have failed to make the grade on forced labour, child labour and exploitation, according to The 2016 Electronics Industry Trends report released by Baptist World Aid and Not For Sale.

While 64% of companies showed some improvement since the report’s release in 2014, not a single company had managed to improve its practices and policies enough to earn an A grade.

“Forced labour, child labour and exploitation remain as significant problems in the supply chain of the electronics Industry. This is the most valuable industry in the world, worth in the trillions. If anyone can afford to ensure they have an ethical supply chain, it’s our big tech companies,” said Gershon Nimbalker, advocacy manager at Baptist World Aid Australia.

Now in its second year, the Electronics Industry Trends report graded 56 companies from A to F on the practices and policies they have in place to mitigate the risk of forced labour, child labour and exploitation. This grading reflects the levels of visibility and transparency these companies have across their supply chain.

The median grade for the 2016 report was C, suggesting workers remain overworked and underpaid, working long shifts with no overtime pay, little rest and wages so low families struggle to make ends meet. This lack of a living wage was a top concern as it meant workers still would not be able to afford the basics — food, water, shelter and electricity.

The report assessed many of the world’s most valuable companies including Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Intel and Sony.

The second Electronics Industry Trends report significantly builds on the previous year, grading 13 additional companies with 61% of all companies featured actively engaging in the research.

Of those surveyed two years in a row, Baptist World Aid applauded the progress of the five companies that improved the most:

A digital copy of the 2016 Electronics Industry Trends report can be ordered by visiting Baptist World Aid’s website www.behindthebarcode.org.au. The Electronic Industry Trends report is part of Baptist World Aid Australia’s Behind the Barcode project.