China Labor Watch said Pegatron student without paying, violated rights

Credit: Apple

Most recent research report China Labor Watch under the conditions of the Chinese manufacturing labor force, says that at least 100 students the iPhone in a factory owned by Pegatron Shanghai are being underpaid.

In a new wave of complaints against agencies of manufacturing in China, the guardian says that Pegatron, a player in the Apple supply chain, hires thousands of students during the summer vacation through employment agencies and shipping companies, but not paid well for their efforts.

Previous research, published in July, CLW claimed three Pegatron factories were responsible for 86 violations to labor rights, including 36 legal violations and 50 ethical violations, ignoring the Chinese and international law. The guardian of labour alleges that Pegatron factories were guilty of hiring discrimination, violations of the rights of women, underage labor, violation of contract, insufficient training, excessive hours of work and insufficient wages, among others.

Research of monitoring of the group say that the scale of salaries and contract violations remain "shocking".

"As of 09 September 2013, workers of about 100 students have already confirmed with CLW that while working at Pegatron Shanghai, were unpaid for 20 to 30 minutes of daily mandatory extraordinary meetings, wages deducted, or only received 80 per cent of the wages of the normal despite doing the same job"the report says. "Many other workers of the student, that have not yet been achieved, is likely to they have suffered the same unfair treatment."

CLW contacted students at three schools, but believes that the non-payment of wages are duly "common violations" through workforce is full of thousands of students.

The students had to work 12 horas-turnos in production lines, including compulsory and unpaid extras for the meetings. While hope students earn extra money during the summer to finance their education, wages were deducted in a number of ways. Fees, deposits and a reduction of RMB ($98) 600 due to the inability of students to complete three months of work, taking into account the summer holidays are only two months--were among the forms supposedly were reduced wage packets.

In addition, the CLW says that students did not receive workers Pegatron paystubs that explained the calculation of wages, then the non-profit is unsure of how much the manufacturer due to workers.

In a letter sent by students demanding complete re-enumeration of the Apple supplier, workers say that inmates automatically had 20 per cent of their wages deducted and were forced to pay a fee of RMB 300 Agency and 200 RMB deposit to begin employment. In addition, the students say that Pegatron should pay for mandatory meeting time, unpaid, forcing the staff to start work before.

In a separate document, students explain how workers faced "unreasonable treatment" to work to Pegatron, including discriminatory wage increases, "handling mechanical and inhuman" and an inherent distrust of employees. In addition, students say "long foot" because of "inhumane training" led to fainting, and against the workers inadequate wages, hours compulsory overtime, fills the spaces and unhealthy food.

The CLW says that Apple has provided information about wage arrears, and the iPad and iPhone manufacturer said Pegatron has recovered the deductions by a number of workers. Pegatron also banned employment of deduction from the wages of the agencies in the future, but a number of students is still to receive their payments.

Last week, the guardian of labor published a report documenting a research covert electronics manufacturer based in Florida, Jabil Circuit, which is apparently producing housing for new Apple iPhone-to-be-announced range.

The report suggests that the factory, producer of the "cheap" iPhone, violated Chinese labor laws through excessive hours of work and overtime is unpaid and also discriminates against workers depending on age and whether women were pregnant. In addition, foods were considered unsatisfactory. In response to the allegations, Apple said:

"We are concerned about the recent excessive overtime-related allegations, hours unpaid extras and the working conditions in our Wuxi, China room." An audit team is enroute to Wuxi thoroughly investigate these claims".

Pegatron declined to comment on the report. ZDNet has come to Apple, and will update if we hear back.