Latest News
Indonesia turns back illegal shipment of e-waste from USA "recycler"
01 March 2010
Environmental watchdog organisation the Basel Action Network (BAN) has successfully prevented nine sea-going containers of hazardous electronic waste from being exported and delivered to Indonesia. The exporter is a Massachusetts business calling themselves a recycler. The delivery would have been in contravention of the international treaty on hazardous waste known as the Basel Convention and Indonesian law.
Apple reports on non-compliances in its global supply chain, including child labour
01 March 2010
24 February, Apple released its 2010 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report. The report provides details about Apple's approach to working with suppliers. Included are a summary of Apple's 2009 audits and descriptions of core violations, frequent violations, and the corrective actions that Apple has required. In the report, cases of child labour are described.
Samsung to take responsibility for lethal hazards of semiconductor manufacturing
01 March 2010
A 'cancer cluster' was discovered among young Samsung manufacturing workers exposed to toxic chemicals in Korea. The deaths of colleagues has motivated workers to demand that Samsung takes responsibility for for the hazards of semiconductor manufacturing and compensates the victims. So far, Samsung denies all responsibility. The Korean government has taken Samsung's side by denying compensation and arresting and detaining the victims’ lawyer. In response, the Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor industry are calling for international solidarity.
Concerns about EICC-GeSI extractives working group, marginalising artisanal mining
26 February 2010
Recently, the German Institute for Applied Ecoloy (Oeko Institut) sent a letter of concern to the GeSI/EICC Exctractives Working Group. In this letter, the Oeko Institut outlines some issues considered important when taking action in the field of mining and minerals. The Oeko Institut deems that the current course of the working group leads into the wrong direction.
Chinese ‘bandit' mobile phone makers seek legitimacy in India
26 February 2010
A group of Chinese “grey market” handset makers is to consider manufacturing in India in an attempt to be recognised as legitimate suppliers in their most important export market.
