December 12, 2006
Workers poisoned in cell phone factories
A disturbing post on Celluar News, on how mobile telephones and mobile phone components are often produced under poor working conditions, putting factory workers health at risk.
A new report from SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) reveals abuses in Chinese, Thai, Philippine and Indian factories of the five largest mobile telephone companies: Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG.
Workers in factories producing parts for Nokia and Motorola work without proper protection and are exposed to chemicals that cause chronic illnesses and serious physical harm.
SOMO researcher Joseph Wilde explains: "Particularly in the Chinese and Thai factories, where components for mobile telephones are made, a number of international labour and health and safety standards are violated. Employee initiatives to improve working conditions are thwarted by the factory owners."
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