China Labor Watch

Last updated

China Labor Watch
Type 501(c)3 organization
11-3596560
Headquarters Millburn, New Jersey
Location
Website www.chinalaborwatch.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

China Labor Watch (CLW) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization founded in 2000 by labor activist Li Qiang. The organization focuses on investigating labor conditions affecting Chinese workers and raising awareness of labor rights issues. CLW conducts investigations, produces reports, offers educational programs for workers, and operates a hotline to provide support and resources for workers facing labor-related issues.

Contents

History

Li Qiang, the founder of CLW, became aware of exploitative labor conditions in China while working in his hometown in Sichuan Province. Motivated by these experiences, Qiang began advocating for workers' rights and conducted his first factory investigation in 1999. [1] Over the following three years, he worked in various factories, where he provided guidance to workers on how to protect their rights.

Concerned for his safety, Qiang left China and entered the United States on a humanitarian visa. After arriving in the U.S., he observed a lack of awareness in Western countries about the conditions faced by Chinese workers, which led him to establish China Labor Watch.

Initially, CLW focused on reporting labor issues in China, including labor protests and government policies related to labor exploitation. Since its founding, CLW has investigated numerous factories in China and published its findings. [2] Starting in 2021, the organization expanded its scope to investigate labor conditions and advocate for Chinese workers in other countries.

Overview

Since 2000, CLW has reportedly trained over ten thousand workers, conducted over five hundred assessments, published over one hundred reports, and had over two hundred features in the media. CLW has been cited by several international news organizations. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

CLW conducts investigations into working conditions in global supply chains and publishes independent reports on its findings. The organization collaborates with civil society groups, trade unions, government stakeholders, and media outlets to raise awareness of ongoing labor violations and malpractices. In some cases, CLW engages with multinational corporations to encourage adherence to international labor standards and address issues related to the treatment of workers in China.

The organization also provides training for workers on topics such as labor rights, legal processes, workplace negotiations, and other forms of advocacy. Additionally, CLW helps to build networks of solidarity among workers, supporting them in asserting their legal rights and addressing labor exploitation. It operates a hotline where workers can report violations, seek advice, connect with legal assistance, or receive further consultation.

Investigations

Since its inception, CLW has conducted investigations into labor conditions within global supply chains, focusing on industries such as electronics, toys, automotive, and apparel. These investigations have documented various labor violations, including child labor, excessive working hours, unpaid wages, exploitation, the illegal use of student and dispatch workers, and workplace deaths and injuries.

CLW has engaged with international brands, government entities, and media organizations to raise awareness of these labor issues and advocate for improvements in working conditions within global supply chains. In response to CLW's reports, companies such as Apple have made adjustments to worker pay and benefits, and have modified some labor practices at certain suppliers. Other companies, such as Samsung, have reportedly conducted additional audits to investigate the issues raised in CLW's findings. CLW has also held meetings with representatives from companies like Disney and has collaborated with other labor organizations to release joint statements calling for labor rights improvements. [8] Additionally, CLW has partnered with international media outlets, including The Guardian, to publish reports on labor conditions in China’s supply chains. [9]

Interventions

Impact

Child Labor

China Labor Watch (CLW) has conducted investigations into labor conditions in global supply chains, including issues related to child labor. [13]

In 2009, CLW published a report on a supplier to Disney, revealing cases of underage labor, low wages, mandatory overtime, and unsafe working conditions. The report followed the death of a 17-year-old worker at the facility, who had been employed at the factory since he was 15. CLW’s findings indicated that underage workers as young as 13 were employed at the facility. [14] After the report was released, Disney initiated a remediation plan for the factory. CLW later conducted a follow-up investigation, which found that age verification measures were implemented, rest days were introduced, wages met minimum standards, and compensation for work-related injuries was increased. CLW continued to investigate other Disney suppliers, reporting similar issues related to child labor and poor working conditions. [15] [16]

In 2014, CLW reported the discovery of child labor, student labor, and excessive overtime in a Samsung supplier factory in southern China, shortly after a Samsung audit had found no evidence of underage labor in its supply chain. [17] CLW had previously reported similar issues in Samsung’s supply chain, dating back to at least 2012. [18] Following CLW's report, Samsung suspended the factory and communicated with CLW about future investigations into potential child labor. While Samsung initially denied the allegations, citing its own internal audits, a follow-up investigation by Samsung confirmed some of the issues raised by CLW. [19] Samsung stated that it would take measures to prevent child labor in its supply chain and began working with CLW to address the findings. [20]

CLW’s reports on child labor have also been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor in its List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor.

Student Labor

CLW has investigated and reported on labor conditions related to the use of student interns in global supply chains.

In 2018, CLW published a report on the use of student interns at a Foxconn factory, highlighting issues related to illegal labor practices and excessive overtime. [21] The report was shared with Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos, prompting a response from the company, which referred to its independent audits and Supplier Code of Conduct. CLW collaborated with The Guardian to further investigate the claims, sending a reporter to China to verify the findings. [22] The story was published in June 2018 and attracted international media attention. Following the report, Amazon acknowledged the violations related to overtime compensation and stated that it had already conducted an audit in March 2018, identified the issues, and requested a corrective action plan from Foxconn.

In 2019, CLW published additional reports alleging that student interns as young as 16 were being hired to work overtime at a Foxconn factory. [23] Amazon responded by stating that it had investigated the issue, initiated weekly reviews, and addressed the matter with Foxconn’s senior management.

In 2022, CLW released another report on a different Foxconn factory, Hengyang Foxconn, identifying additional labor violations. [24] As a result, nearly 1 million RMB was paid to raise the wages of temporary workers and to increase the number of permanent employees. The report also led to accountability for the factory's management. CLW has continued to monitor and report on the use of student interns in global supply chains.

Belt and Road Initiative

Since 2020, CLW has reported on labor conditions related to the Chinese-invested Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), focusing on issues such as nickel mining, [25] overseas labor, [26] and forced labor. The organization has monitored the impact of BRI projects on migrant Chinese workers, highlighting their vulnerability to exploitation in some cases.

CLW has also provided support for Chinese workers overseas who were affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Through reports, coordination with local authorities and embassies, and providing legal assistance, CLW helped facilitate the return of workers who were stranded due to the pandemic. The organization has raised concerns about practices such as passport confiscation and recruitment fees, which it views as forms of exploitation. CLW continues to engage with stakeholders to advocate for better protections for migrant workers involved in international projects.

Funding

The majority of China Labor Watch's (CLW) funding comes from project grants provided by various government or quasi-governmental agencies based outside of China. CLW also receives funding from private individual donors.

CLW has received funding from the National Endowment for Democracy and the International Labor Rights Forum. [27] [28] [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweatshop</span> Workplace that has socially unacceptable working conditions

A sweatshop or sweat factory is a crowded workplace with very poor or illegal working conditions, including little to no breaks, inadequate work space, insufficient lighting and ventilation, or uncomfortably or dangerously high or low temperatures. The work may be difficult, tiresome, dangerous, climatically challenging, or underpaid. Employees in sweatshops may work long hours with unfair wages, regardless of laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage; child labor laws may also be violated. Women make up 85 to 90% of sweatshop workers and may be forced by employers to take birth control and routine pregnancy tests to avoid supporting maternity leave or providing health benefits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Li & Fung</span> Supply Chain Management Company

Li & Fung Limited is a Hong Kong–based supply chain management company. Established in 1906, the company became publicly traded in 1973 and has since played a significant role in manufacturing apparel, toys, and various consumer goods for major North American and European retailers. Significant growth occurred after its public listing, reaching a peak market capitalization in 2011, but the rise of platforms like Alibaba and Amazon, which directly connect manufacturers with consumers, created an increasingly challenging environment for the company.

Foxconn Precision Industry Co. Ltd., trading as Fushikang Technology Group in China and Taiwan, and known as Foxconn Technology Group internationally, is a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer established in 1974 with headquarters in Tucheng District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. In 2023, the company's annual revenue reached 6.16 trillion New Taiwan dollars and was ranked 20th in the 2023 Fortune Global 500. It is the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics. While headquartered in Taiwan, the company earns the majority of its revenue from assets in China and is one of the largest employers worldwide. Terry Gou is the company founder and former chairman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fair Labor Association</span>

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is a non-profit collaborative effort of universities, civil society organizations, and businesses.

Li Qiang is a labor activist who engages in protecting factory workers’ rights in China. Li was born in Zigong, Sichuan Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweatshop-free</span> Ethical label for garments

Sweatshop-free or sweat free is a term first used by American Apparel, a famous American clothing brand, which means coercion-free, fair-compensation for the garment workers who manufacture their products. The aim of sweatshop-free wish to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and products are made in good working conditions. Sweatshop-free standards include the right to collective bargaining, non-poverty wages, safe workplaces, back wages, and non-harassment. It has been heavily featured in American Apparel’s advertisements and become a common term in the garment industry.

As of 2021, Apple, Inc. uses components from 43 countries. The majority of assembling is done by Taiwanese original design manufacturer firms Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron and Compal Electronics with factories mostly located inside China, but also Brazil, and India.

Pegatron Corporation is a Taiwanese electronics manufacturing company that mainly develops computing, communications and consumer electronics for branded vendors. It also develops, designs and manufactures computer peripherals and components. Pegatron's primary products include notebooks, netbook computers, desktop computers, game consoles, handheld devices, motherboards, video cards and LCD TVs, as well as broadband communication products such as smartphones, set-top boxes and cable modems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fair Wear Foundation</span> Garment industry activist organization

Fair Wear Foundation (Fair Wear) is an independent multi-stakeholder organisation that works with garment brands, garment workers and industry influencers to improve labour conditions in garment factories. Receiving the Fair Wear stamp of approval does not guarantee any existing quality of labour standards; instead it only demonstrates a stated interest in working toward improvement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Chinese labour unrest</span> Labour dispute

The 2010 Chinese labour unrest was a series of labour disputes, strike actions, and protests in the south of the People's Republic of China that saw striking workers successfully receive higher pay packages.

Cam Simpson is a London-based writer and journalist. He is currently the senior international correspondent for Bloomberg Businessweek in London, and Bloomberg News. Previously, he worked for The Wall Street Journal, with posts in the Middle East and Washington. and as a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune where he was responsible for covering US foreign policy and investigative projects in Washington and overseas.

The Foxconn suicides were a spate of suicides linked to low pay and brutal working conditions at the Foxconn City industrial park in Shenzhen, China, that occurred alongside several additional suicides at various other Foxconn-owned locations and facilities in mainland China. The series of suicides drew media attention, and employment practices at Foxconn—one of the world's largest contract electronics manufacturers—were investigated by several of its customers, including Apple and Hewlett-Packard (HP).

The 2011 Chengdu Foxconn explosion occurred on May 13, 2011 in Chengdu, Sichuan province, People's Republic of China.

SACOM, or Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour is a non-government organization founded in 2005 by a group of students and scholars from tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. SACOM monitors and publicizes the misconducts of multinational corporations through first-hand investigations in supplier factories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung</span> South Korean multinational conglomerate

Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Digital City, Suwon, South Korea. It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most of them united under the Samsung brand, and is the largest South Korean chaebol. As of 2024, Samsung has the world's fifth-highest brand value.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Inc. and unions</span> Apple Inc.-related worker organizations and unions

Apple Inc. workers around the globe have been involved in organizing since the 1990s. Apple unions are made up of retail, corporate, and outsourced workers. Apple employees have joined trade unions and or formed works councils in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd., also known as Luxshare-ICT, is a Chinese electronic components manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KYE Systems</span> Taiwanese computer peripheral manufacturer

KYE Systems Group, or KYE, an abbreviation of Kung Ying Enterprises, is a Taiwanese computer peripheral manufacturer that designs and manufactures and markets human interface devices such as mice under their own brand, Genius. The company also manufactures on an OEM basis for companies such as HP and Microsoft. The company was founded in 1983 and has opened offices internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Alabama child labor allegations</span>

In 2022, car manufacturing company Hyundai and its parts suppliers in Alabama, U.S. were found to be illegally employing children to operate heavy equipment. Most of these children were refugees from Central America, some of whom were put to work against threat of deportation.

Apple Inc. has been the subject of criticism and legal action. This includes its handling labor violations at its outsourced manufacturing hubs in China, its environmental impact of its supply chains, tax and monopoly practices, a lack of diversity and women in leadership in corporate and retail, various labor conditions, and its response to worker organizing.

References

  1. ↑ barboza, David (May 17, 2020). "Who's Afraid of Li Qiang?". The Wire China. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  2. ↑ Wong, Stephanie Hoi-Nga (June 16, 2017). "Li Qiang: The Chinese activist who wants Ivanka Trump to 'force change' in labour conditions". The Independent.
  3. ↑ Chamberlain, Gethin (June 9, 2018). "Workers not paid legally by Amazon contractor in China". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ Bradsher, Keith (May 30, 2017). "China Detains Activist Who Worked at Manufacturer of Ivanka Trump Shoes". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ "China Labor Watch". www.ft.com. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Apple responds to iPhone factory criticism". September 9, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  7. ↑ Albergotti, Reed (September 9, 2019). "Apple accused of worker violations in Chinese factories". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  8. ↑ Reuters (June 14, 2016). "Labor groups criticize Disney over worker conditions at China suppliers". Reuters. Retrieved November 13, 2024.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ↑ Chamberlain, Gethin (December 4, 2016). "The grim truth of Chinese factories producing the west's Christmas toys". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  10. ↑ "User Clip: Qiang Li - 2000 | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Trouble on the Line -- Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 -- Page 1 -- TIME". web.archive.org. February 27, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  12. ↑ Press, Associated (June 1, 2017). "China firm that makes shoes for Ivanka Trump denies missing activists' claims". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  13. ↑ Valinsky, Jordan (August 9, 2019). "Amazon is investigating alleged child labor law violations at a Foxconn facility that makes Echoes and Kindles | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  14. ↑ Zhang, Xiaochun (April 30, 2009). "Shattered Dreams: Underage Worker Death at Factory Supplying to Disney, Other International Brands". China Labor Watch. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  15. ↑ Zhang, Xiaochun (August 5, 2009). "Disney: Yiuwah Update Targets Factory, Ignores: Disney's Exploitative System". China Labor Watch. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  16. ↑ Dreier, Peter (March 12, 2020). "Disney Is Not the Greatest Place on Earth to Work". ISSN   0027-8378 . Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  17. ↑ Barboza, David (July 10, 2014). "Despite a Pledge by Samsung, Child Labor Proves Resilient". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  18. ↑ Zhang, Xiaochun (July 10, 2014). "Another Samsung supplier factory exploiting child labor". China Labor Watch. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Samsung Electronics statement on recent allegation of child labor at a supplier". news.samsung.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Samsung finds China child labour 'evidence'". BBC News. July 14, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  21. ↑ LIMIT8 (August 8, 2019). "Amazon's Supplier Factory Foxconn Recruits Illegally: Interns Forced to Work Overtime". China Labor Watch. Retrieved November 13, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ Chamberlain, Gethin (June 9, 2018). "Workers not paid legally by Amazon contractor in China". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  23. ↑ Valinsky, Jordan (August 9, 2019). "Amazon is investigating alleged child labor law violations at a Foxconn facility that makes Echoes and Kindles | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  24. ↑ CLW_Admin (June 29, 2023). "Investigative Report of Hengyang Foxconn (Futaihong Precision Industry) Co., Ltd". China Labor Watch. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Chinese Workers in Indonesia Need Protection, Too". thediplomat.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  26. ↑ CLW_Admin (January 11, 2024). "Ten Worker Stories: Away From Home". China Labor Watch. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  27. ↑ China Labor Watch (November 9, 2011). "Complaint against Intertek". China Labor Watch. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Where Every Risk is an Opportunity". Open The Magazine. April 21, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Annual Report 2011" (PDF). National Endowment for Democracy.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.