Workers assemble and perform quality control checks on MacBook Pro display enclosures at an Apple supplier facility in Shanghai.
(Credit:
Apple)
Apple severed its relationship with a China-based third-party labor supplier after discovering dozens of underage workers employed there, Apple reported in its latest Supplier Responsibility report, which was released this evening.
The iPhone maker said it discovered the violations during an audit of the supplier, Guangdong Real Faith Pingzhou Electronics (PZ). In addition, Apple reported the labor agency that knowingly provided the child labor to PZ to local authorizes.
The agency, which allegedly conspired with the children's families to falsify age-verification documents, had its license suspended and levied a fine.
"The children were returned to their families, and PZ was required to pay expenses to facilitate their successful return," Apple said in its report (PDF). "In addition, the company that subcontracted its work to PZ was prompted by our findings to audit its other subcontractors for underage labor violations -- proving that one discovery can have far-reaching impact."
The revelation was included Apple's annual report on its efforts to improve employee safety and working conditions at its manufacturing partners' production facilities. The report comes a few months after Apple supplier Foxconn admitted last October it had hired interns that were under 16 -- China's legal working age.
The company said it conducted 393 audits in its supply chain last year, a 72 percent increase over 2011. The audits included reviews on environmental and operations safety, business practices, and recruitment.
The company said it achieved an average 92 percent supplier compliance with the maximum 60-hour work week. Apple says it is now tracking more than 1 million workers in its supply chain and posting the results each month on its Web site.
More to come...
Apple fires supplier after audit uncovers underage workers
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Apple fires supplier after audit uncovers underage workers
