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Announcement / Invitation

Workers’ rights in the global electronics sector

GoodElectronics and makeITfair Round Table. 9 + 10 May 2012, Amsterdam

The Round Table aims to bring together representatives of the electronics industry and civil society organisations, including trade unions, from around the globe. Key themes are trends and consequences in contract labour and wage issues in the global electronics industry. Freedom of association, collective bargaining, position of employment agencies, migrant labour, grievance mechanisms, workers’ training are some of the topics that will be broached.

The focus of the Round Table is on discussing the different perspectives of the various actors and on defining common ground for action towards lasting improvement of labour conditions.

Excerpt from Michael Daisy's one-man show "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs."

03 February 2012

Mister Daisey Goes to China. Mike Daisey performs an excerpt that was adapted for radio from his one-man show "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs." A lifelong Apple superfan, Daisey sees some photos online from the inside of a factory that makes iPhones, starts to wonder about the people working there, and flies to China to meet them. Radio show 'This American Life' followed up on this and did weeks of fact checking to corroborate Daisey's findings. LISTEN to these amazing podcasts!

In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad

02 February 2012

Last week, The New York Times published articles on the harsh working conditions at Apple suppliers. The findings of the NYT journalists confirm the investigations done by makeITfair and SACOM. This is not extraordinary as Apple’s supplier responsibility reports, in many cases report the same abuses. What is, however, interesting are the revealing remarks of some insiders which underline the relevancy of the demands of the 2011 “Time to bite into a fair Apple” campaign. makeITfair and GoodElectronics called upon Apple to improve its purchasing practices ensuring fair prices and well-planned lead times. This will enable suppliers to take necessary safety measures and to pay a living wage, allowing workers to work normal hours. makeITfair and GoodElectronics called upon Apple to be more transparent about its supplier and engage with labour rights organisations to make sure that working conditions improve.

China: Exploring CSR Strategies - Electronic Industry

31 January 2012

The Chinese Electronics Standardization Association (CESA) has hosted a seminar exploring strategies to promote social responsibility in the booming electronics/IT sector. Electronics/IT is China's number 1 export sector, with more than $500 billion US dollars export value in 2010. CESA is a business association affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Workers’ rights in the electronics sector - GoodElectronics & makeITfair Round Table

30 January 2012

9-10 May, GoodElectronics and makeITfair are organising a Round Table bringing together representatives of the electronics industry and civil society organisations, including trade unions, from around the globe. The meeting takes place in Amsterdam. Participation is open for electronics companies, including OEMS, EMS, EICC and GeSI members, trade unions, labour groups, NGOs, (EU) policy makers, activists and academics, etc. Key themes are trends and consequences in contract labour and wage issues in the global electronics industry. Freedom of association, collective bargaining, position of employment agencies, migrant labour, grievance mechanisms, workers’ training are some of the topics that will be broached. The focus of the Round Table is on discussing the different perspectives of the various actors and on defining common ground for action towards lasting improvement of labour conditions.

GoodElectronics Vision, Mission, Common Demands on the electronics industry

20 January 2012

The GoodElectronics Network has a vision of a global electronics industry characterised by compliance with the highest international human rights and sustainability standards. Labour rights and environmental norms are respected throughout the entire production cycle, from the mining of minerals used in electronics products, to the manufacturing phase, and the recycling and disposal of electronics waste, both on the level of companies’ own operations and in the supply chain. To further this vision, the GoodElectronics Network has formulated demands on the electronics sector. These demands apply throughout the entire production cycle, from the mining of minerals used in electronics products, to the manufacturing phase, and the recycling and disposal of electronics waste, in each company’s own operations, those of their contractors and subcontractors, and in their supply chain.