National Labor Committee report details grueling work conditions.
The National Labor Committee has published a detailed report that alleges a Chinese supplier of Microsoft products is overworking its teenage employees.
A factory in Dongguan, China operated by KYE Systems Corp., which supplies Microsoft with computer mice, cameras, and Xbox 360 controllers, allegedly hires "work study students" between the ages of 14 through 17 and forces them to work up to 15 hour days.
- The National Labor CommitteeExhausted teenaged workers, toiling and slumping asleep on their assembly line during break time."Workers are paid 65 cents an hour, which falls to a take-home wage of 52 cents after deductions for factory food," the report says. "Not only are the hours long, but the work pace is grueling as workers race frantically to complete their mandatory goal of 2,000 Microsoft mice per shift. During the long summer months when factory temperatures routinely reach 86 degrees, workers are drenched in sweat."
Brian Tobey, VP of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices unit, wrote on its official blog that the company looking into the committee's claims.
"We have a team of independent auditors en route to the facility to conduct a complete and thorough investigation," said Tobey. "If we find that the factory is not adhering to our standards, we will take appropriate action."
"We should note that as part of Microsoft's ongoing supplier SEA program, an independent auditor has been inspecting the KYE factory annually. In addition, Microsoft personnel conduct quarterly on-site assessments, and receive weekly reports from KYE on key labor and safety criteria that we monitor as part of our supplier SEA program," Tobey added.
"Over the past two years, we have required documentation and verification of worker age, and no incidence of child labor has been detected. Worker overtime has been significantly reduced, and worker compensation is in line with the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition standards for the Dongguan area."
Exhausted teenaged workers, toiling and slumping asleep on their assembly line during break time.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1084050p1.html
