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Samsung Lenovo

Samsung and Lenovo deny China Labor Watch's child employment and human rights accusations

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

August 28, 2014 | 3 min read

A third-party manufacturer for electronic firms Samsung and Lenovo has denied a prominent human rights watchdog’s accusations that it enlisted the services of children in its factory.

Components for Samsung's flagship Galaxy smartphone are made in China

The accusation was leveled at the Huizhou factory of supplier HEG Technology by New-York based watchdog, China Labor Watch, which commented that the plant was violating the human rights of its employees.

Samsung said, following an investigation into the manufacturing plant, that it found no evidence of labourers aged under 16.

Additionally, Lenovo confirmed it will file an independent investigation into the factory’s practices.

The watchdog said it found over 10 children working at the supplier during an investigation spanning July through August.

Separately, the report also said that 100 student workers were denied overtime wages and night-time subsidies, despite Chinese law requiring overtime pay to be at least 50 per cent higher.

The students were promised school travel expenses but later said it would only pay if students continue working until 10 September 10, after classes return. As a result of the report however Samsung demanded HEG pay the students fairly.

An HEG employee told Reuters that the factory has facial scanning technology to prevent the employment of under 16s and that it outsources the hiring of student to an external firm.

This is the second time this year the China Labor Watch has criticised Samsung’s production ethics - with the group feeling it had to target Samsung's alleged child employment again.

Earlier this month, Apple cleaned up its act in China at the behest of the watchdog, removing two hazardous chemicals from its production lines.

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