Heeding a call by GoodElectronics, some 130 electronics consumers from all over the world expressed their solidarity with Gold Peak Batteries workers by sending a letter of protest. In a response by email Gold Peak Batteries made it clear not to be impressed. GoodElectronics has now also addressed electronics companies that are sourcing from Gold Peak Batteries
Heeding a call by GoodElectronics, some 130 electronics consumers from all over the world expressed their solidarity with Gold Peak Batteries workers by sending a letter of protest. In a response by email Gold Peak Batteries made it clear not to be impressed. GoodElectronics has now also addressed electronics companies that are sourcing from Gold Peak Batteries
International solidarity
- Mexican electronics workers wrote: 'We are worried for the workers. All what they need isn’t so difficult to give: health and security in their job... good wages. Please be fair with them.’ ’The Chinese workers fight is also ours. Give them what is stated by the law.’
- A concerned German citizen and consumer wrote 'I’ll never buy anything of Gold Peak, if you don’t accept the rights of your workers.'
Response Gold Peak inadequate
In a letter sent by email dated 25 January 2010, Gold Peak Batteries reacted to the protest appeals. GP Batteries claims the company’s security guards had no role in the violence used against the striking workers. GP batteries points at a recent wage increase and states that wages at Power pack are above the minimum wage. Further, GP Batteries writes that by giving ‘blind support’ to the Power Pack workers, a situation was created where ‘the workers think they can do whatever they like’.
GoodElectronics does not agree to this way of presenting things. GoodElectronics supports Globalization Monitor Ltd. in its analysis that Gold Peak Batteries fails to address the main outstanding issue, that is the need for structural mechanisms to inform and consult workers or their representative bodies of vital labour issues. Such dialogue should take place on the basis of equality and transparency.
1-4 February, Ms Wang Feng Ping, one of the sacked workers of Power Pack and a victim of cadmium exposure, visited Hong Kong. Globalization Monitor organised a press conference and a visit to the GP Batteries office. Globalization Monitor Ltd., other Hong Kong groups, and Ms Wang intended to present a joint letter demanding Gold Peak for redress and compensation. Gold Peak, however, refused to accept the letter. An emotional Ms Wang then tore up the letter.
In response, Globalization Monitor Ltd. stresses that the wage increase may look good in terms of percentage but amounted to a mere 1 (one!) Yuan increase of the daily wage. Further, Globalization Monitor Ltd. points out that the wages at GP Batteries may be higher than the minimum wage, but still do not cover the basic costs of living which are very high in Huizhou.
If workers are denied a say concerning issues such as wage, benefits, working hours, occupational health and safety issues, compensation packages, etc., and if dialogue is refused, industrial relations turn sour.
Role of Gold Peak Batteries' customers
GoodElectronics has contacted a number of electronics companies that are reportedly sourcing from Gold Peak Batteries to share its concerns. We have asked them to make contact with Gold Peak Batteries regarding these labour disputes and to make sure that Gold Peak Batteries’ labour practices are in line with their codes of conduct as well as with local and international labour laws.