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Samsung and Panasonic Accused Over Supply Chain Labour Abuses in Malaysia (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the dirty-tricks dept.

Samsung and Panasonic, two of the world's leading electronics brands, are facing allegations that workers in their supply chains are being duped, exploited and underpaid in Malaysia. From a report on The Guardian: The two companies have launched investigations into allegations of abuse made by Nepalese workers after a Guardian investigation raised multiple concerns about their treatment. The men said they had been deceived about pay, had their passports confiscated and had been told that they must pay large fines if they wanted to return to Nepal before the end of their contract. They also claimed they were forced to work for up to 14 hours on their feet without adequate rest, and with restricted toilet breaks, in an attempt to settle recruitment fees of up to pound 1,000 -- they said they had to pay this money to secure their jobs. They said they felt "cheated" and trapped in their factory jobs making or assembling components for household electrical goods sold on the global market. "My heart is aching," said one young man who works in a factory making Samsung microwaves. "I was not given the job I was promised. I am doing very difficult work. I haven't got the salary they said I would get."

7 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. This is news? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Samsung and Panasonic, two of the world's leading electronics brands, are facing allegations that workers in their supply chains are being duped, exploited and underpaid in Malaysia.

    This is the *ONLY* reason you build a factory in Malaysia.

  2. Re:I have my doubts by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 3, Insightful

    it's not on Samsung or Panasonic, but the supplier who hires the workers.

    Samsung and Panasonic should be auditing their supply chains, including inspection of supplier factories. That is basic corporate ethics, and is a necessity in our modern interconnected world. That being said, we shouldn't jump to any conclusions: Many accusations like this in the past have turned out to be fabricated.

  3. This is the Dubai model... by wbr1 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Have a third party 'recruit' in poor areas with the promise of a highly skilled job. Transport to another country where you are at a disadvantage everywhere, take the passport, and give a menial, low-paying job with no means to easily contact family or repay your 'transport' debt.

    Welcome to 21st century slavery.

    http://www.vice.com/video/the-...

    --
    Silence is a state of mime.
    1. Re:This is the Dubai model... by penguinoid · · Score: 2

      I never understood how this could work given that there are no slave masters standing their with whips and guns like in the old days. What keeps these people from lynching their managers right on the factory floor?

      That would be the men with truncheons, tasers, and guns.

      --
      Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    2. Re:This is the Dubai model... by wbr1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You are in a foreign country with no passport and no proof of your right to be there. You do not speak the language. Many of your co-slaves and you have similar language barriers. Raise a ruckus, go to 3rd world hellhole jail. No money for bribes, illegal worker, etc. Now, if you manage to get out, you have more obligations and fines. That is if the armed security force at the factory does not break a few of your ribs first.

      --
      Silence is a state of mime.
  4. Wow by Pollux · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm genuinely disappointed.

    I've seen numerous internet articles showing the wide array and quality of Samsung campuses in South Korea, and I've always told my friends and coworkers to buy Samsung, because you're buying Korean, and you're voting for a company with a good track record of clean production facilities and high wages for workers.

    I guess Samsung is just as bad as Apple. Or Nike. Or that company that built the Burj Khalifa. I wonder who built it...

    Wikipedia.org...Burj Khalifa...

    Oh, wait...

    Well, that just ruined my day.

  5. Re:Wait, I thought only Apple was ever guily of th by tlhIngan · · Score: 2

    Seriously though .... I'm not especially well versed in the details of Malaysian government, but it seems they're a Constitutional Monarchy.

    As an American citizen, I've never felt that comfortable with a monarchy or any kind of dictatorship securing the rights and freedoms of individuals. At best, a "benevolent dictatorship" is just a temporarily condition, happened upon by the citizens as "pure luck". A monarchy where the appointed king or queen follows a constitution is better, assuming a well written constitution. But again, enforcement of it would fall to the discretion of the ruler, vs. a whole system of checks and balances to help ensure some of it takes place EVEN if the leader isn't too keen on enforcing it.

    This unfortunate situation sounds like it's common practice in Malaysia right now, which tells me nobody with the ability to change it in government really has an interest in taking action to do so.

    No, there's no king or queen in Malaysia. There's a Prime Minister though. But while there are elections in Malaysia, it's widely believed they are rigged and the whole political process is corrupt. They would be closer to an Authoritarian Democracy.

    And the person in power stays in power - over 15 years ago, the opposition party leader was getting VERY popular with the people (who were sick and tired of the governing party). So just before the elections, said opposition leader is arrested and charged with homosexuality (and homosexual acts). Now, Malaysia is an Islamic country, so yes, they were forbidden.

    The key evidence though was a "semen stained mattress". Last I heard (a couple of years back) it's STILL being fought in the courts. And this was around 1998 or so. Effectively he's being jailed until he keels over.

    And the other part is who is allowed to vote - basically Malaysians (by race) only - if you're Chinese, Indian, etc., you're excluded from the vote.