Charities see few gains for computer workers

Most computers are built in China nowadays Keystone

The Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund and Protestant agency Bread for All say that computer manufacturers have done little to improve working conditions in Asia.

The two charities, which launched a campaign last year targeting major computer firms, reckon that an increase of just SFr50 ($48.1) on computer prices would mean a better life for workers and help ensure that companies’ social responsibilities are met.

Before the campaign began, 27 suppliers in China, Thailand and the Philippines working for Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Apple and Fujitsu-Siemens – the biggest brands on the Swiss market – were investigated.

Low wages, long work hours and health risks for workers were just a few of the problems highlighted.

Today, little has changed. According to the charities, a review of the situation in China shows that employees still know little about their rights, often work ten or more hours per day and are not sufficiently protected against dangerous substances.

“Most workers are not told how to protect their health, how to handle toxic chemicals, or the factories lack proper ventilation,” said Chantal Peyer of Bread for All on Tuesday.

Among the seven factories that were investigated, few suppliers gave workers a copy of their contract, despite the fact Chinese law requires them to do so.

“The contract contains a list of the workers’ rights, such as accident insurance or maternity leave,” added Peyer.

None of the factories had informed employees about corporate codes of conduct either.

Improvements

However, the charities say there have been some improvements. Only two of the factories failed to adopt minimal salary requirements, especially when it came to paying overtime.

“This was probably due to the fact that computer manufacturers took a more responsible approach, but also because there was a lack of available manpower,” Peyer told swissinfo.

“The local authorities also increased minimum wage requirements to make sure workers stay.”

Faced with evidence that their suppliers had been committing workplace abuses, manufacturers had been asked last year by the charities to face up to their social responsibility and be more transparent.

American Hewlett-Packard has made the most progress, putting human and financial resources into the implementation of a code of conduct for suppliers and revealing suppliers’ names.

“Hewlett-Packard is setting up a pilot project for example letting non-governmental organisations educate workers about the code of conduct,” said Peyer.

Deficiencies

Fujitsu Siemens (FS) on the other hand is considered to be dragging its feet. Its code of conduct suffers from a certain number of deficiencies, according to the charities.

The company expects suppliers to implement the code of conduct – which is based on the United Nations Global Compact – by themselves.

FS spokeswoman Judith Raddatz told swissinfo that the company carries out “random independent audits” of its suppliers.

She added that the company does not reveal the names of its suppliers, but that this particular policy could be subject to review in the future.

Purchasing policy

The charities say they want the manufacturers to take their social responsibility more seriously.

“We expect them to work with their suppliers to see how best to implement a code of conduct and to ensure that employees know their rights,” added Peyer.

But codes of conduct alone will not suffice. The charities want manufacturers to adapt their purchasing policies.

“If manufacturers set tight delivery times, pay suppliers less and less and make them compete with each other, they make it economically impossible for anyone to implement a code of conduct,” explained Peyer.

Working conditions would be acceptable for Chinese workers if the price of a computer was increased by just SFr50.

“It would be enough to ensure minimum wages and decent working hours for the employees of computer suppliers,” said the head of the Lenten Fund, Antonio Hautle.

Purchasers, including bulk buyers such as cantonal and local administrations, can also have an impact and apply pressure.

Geneva is the first city in Europe that demands that manufacturers who tender for contracts demonstrate that they are fulfilling their social responsibilities.

swissinfo, Scott Capper

Religious backing

The Lenten Fund is a Catholic aid agency that works in developing nations and Switzerland.

It focuses on strengthening in 16 developing countries local village structures and other groupings. Altogether it manages more than 350 projects

Public information work is intended to encourage people to think about living conditions in the disadvantaged countries.

The organisation is funded mainly from donations and legacies. Other sources include parishes and funding from the Swiss government, as well as other public funding. Last year it invested SFr16 million.

Bread for All is the Swiss Protestant churches’ development agency.

It supports 400 development projects and programmes in 57 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

It also participates in development policy activities aimed at achieving more equitable international socio-economic structures, protecting “Creation” and building peace.

It distributed more than SFr11.2 million for development aid and projects in 2007.