Bad conditions for computer workers
Bad conditions for computer workers
A new report by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development has exposed the dire conditions that people in the developing world have to put up with when working in computer production.
CAFOD has found that electronic workers in Mexico, Thailand and China suffer harassment, discrimination and intolerable working conditions. The parts they produce end up in the computers of companies such as Hewlett Packard, Dell and IBM.
CAFOD's Private Sector Analyst Katherine Astill said: "The current situation is unacceptable. Its products may embody the latest in high technology, but labour standards in computer manufacturing can be appallingly low.
"CAFOD is campaigning for brand leaders to take greater responsibility for electronic workers. It wants Hewlett Packard, Dell and IBM to adopt and ensure effective implementation of codes of conduct based on UN standards."
CAFOD has welcomed IBM and Dell's initial response after they saw the evidence of the report. Hewlett Packard so far has the best track record on labour standards, but they all recognised that more needs to be done.
However, one woman, who was working for Hewlett Packard in Mexico, reported how she was treated by a contract manufacturer. She said she was forced to strip, including taking off her underwear, then touched in sensitive areas by medical examiners that said they were looking for tattoos.
She was made to take a pregnancy test too. Monica said: "It was a totally humiliating experience. It was the worst thing I have ever had to go through. But I didn't know how to complain - I mean they were doing the same thing to everyone."
People have been rejected from employment at an IBM production line for the following reasons: "Homosexual, more than two tattoos, father is a lawyer, has brought labour claims, worked for a union, pregnancy, does not agree with IBM policies."
Employees also faced long shifts on low pay in illegal short-term contracts that lack holidays, health, pension, and employment benefits. One IBM worker reported that she was even refused time off when her father died.
CAFOD also reported an equally unacceptable situation for electronic workers in Asia. In Thailand, a worker making hard drives that end up in computers sold by companies like Dell earns around 2 pounds a day. However, Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell, earned 134,000 pounds per day in 2003.
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