This isn’t the first time a worker abuse accusation have been leveled against an Apple supplier based in China. Foxconn has previously been in the spotlight after a string of worker suicides, allegedly because of poor living and harsh working conditions. Pegatron, another one of Apple’s suppliers in China, has been accused of worker abuse this time around. China Labor Watch, a non-profit based in New York, is behind these allegations of environmental and safety violations, poor living conditions and blocking of workers’ pay and ID cards.
Apple has said it a statement that it is “committed to providing safe and fair working conditions” throughout its entire supply chain, adding that they have conducted 15 audits at Pegatron’s factories in China since 2007. Apple also said that they have conducted surprise audits over the last 18 months. These alleged violations are not only against Chinese law, but also against Apple’s supplier policy. The company has confirmed that some labor brokers are not releasing workers’ ID cards and it demands Pegatron to ensure that this practice is stopped. Both Apple and Pegatron have said that they will fully investigate the allegations made in China Labor Watch’s report and will take relevant actions.