A watchdog group is calling on Amazon to improve working conditions at a factory in China that makes Echo speakers and Kindle e-readers, Bloomberg reported.
The New York-based China Labor Watch released a report following a nine-month investigation of conditions at a factory in Hengyang owned by Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., known as Foxconn, which manufactures products for Amazon, including its $40 Echo speakers.
Among the report findings were that:
- Workers were equipped to work more than 100 hours of monthly overtime; Chinese labor law limits overtime to 36 hours a month.
- The factory uses more temporary staff than are allowed by Chinese law.
- Employees didn’t get adequate safety training.
- Workers are required to show up at their work stations 10 minutes before the shift begins, without compensation.
- Staff dorms lack fire-safety precautions like extinguishers.
“We immediately requested a corrective action plan from Foxconn Hengyang detailing their plan to remediate the issues identified, and we are conducting regular assessments to monitor for implementation and compliance with our Supplier Code of Conduct,” Amazon said, Bloomberg reported. “We are committed to ensuring that these issues are resolved.”
The major electronics manufacturer in China was also criticized for poor working conditions in factories where Apple devices were made, Bloomberg reported.
Amazon also has faced criticism for working conditions in its U.S. warehouses. One lawsuit alleged Amazon cheated workers by making them clock off before standing in security lines for theft-prevention measures. Amazon won the case in the Supreme Court.
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