Artist’s impression of discussion on freedom of association at
GoodElectronics and makeITfair Round Table with the electronics
industry, 9-10 May, Amsterdam. By Maarten Wolterink.
Latest News
Who Speaks for China’s Workers?
Leslie T. Chang, author of Factory Girls, received a standing ovation when she closed her TED Talk about the lives, aspirations, and—above all—upward mobility of China’s workers who make our products. Jenny Chan, co-author of 'Separate Dreams: Apple, Foxconn and a New Generation of Chinese Workers', forthcoming, asks what is life really like for China’s 262 million rural migrant workers, the core of the new working class?
Japanese semiconductor manufacturer Renesas persists in refusal to respect labour rights in Malaysia
Last April 4th, some 90 civil society organisations from Malyasia and abroad called on Japanese semiconductor manufacturer Renesas operating in Malaysia to recognise the Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region Peninsular Malaysia (EIEUWR). The union first applied for recognition in January 2010. More than 3 years later Renesas Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhdis still refusing to accord recognition to the union. Renesas has also failed to respond to the widely supported call to stop its delaying tactics. Workers at Renesas are still refused the benefits of a collective bargaining agreement. When is Renesas finally going to answer to these urgent call to respect labour rights? Hitachi, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation own big Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
The New York Times: Apple’s Web of Tax Shelters Saved It Billions, Panel Finds
Apple as the most profitable company of the United States has avoided paying a lot of taxes in and outside the USA according to a Congressional investigation. While other companies have taken advantage of loopholes, in this case the scale of it was surprising. It should be about tens of billions of dollars.
Will Fairphone become the first ethically sourced smart phone?
Will Fairphone become the first ethically sourced smart phone? The Fairphone webshop is now open to public with a pr-eorder sale target of 5,000 to be reached on June 14th. However, many questions about the ambitions and principles of Fairphone are yet to be answered.
Friends of the Earth says "It's time to turn up the heat on Apple"
Earlier this year Friends of the Earth forced Samsung, Apple’s biggest rival, to confirm that it uses forest trashing tin in its products. Apple though is still refusing to go public about whether their phones contain this tin from Indonesia's Bangka Island. Back then Friends of the Earth stated that Samsung and Apple almost certainly use tin in their mobiles that comes from Bangka Island - where tin mining is ravaging forests and coral reefs, injuring miners and destroying fishermen's livelihoods. Friends of the Earth started a campaign to get Apple and Samsung to reveal where they get their tin from. Friends of the Earth managed to secure a public commitment from Samsung and is now turning on the heat on Apple!
