Nonprofit watchdog organization China Labor Watch and Green America reported that Apple's supplier for metal enclosures for iPad and MacBook violated some labor, health, and safety rules in its factory based in China.
Catcher Technology, which is located in Suqian in China's Jiangsu Province employs 20,000 people. The plant also supplies parts for companies such as Sony, HTC, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell.
The labor group conducted an investigation in August and found "significant amounts" of aluminum shavings left exposed on the floor, as well as aluminum dust in the air. The factory does not have proper ventilation, and the dust is known to be combustible. Safety exits were kept locked, preventing immediate exit in case of a fire. The management also failed to roll out fire drills over the past year.
"The investigation of Catcher Technology raises serious concerns around working conditions in Apple's second-tier supplier factories," said Green America Corporate Responsibility Director Todd Larsen in a statement, as reported by Re/Code.
Larsen added that they decided to publicize this information so Apple will take steps and look into the matter. Apple responded that they will study the report.
"Last year we conducted 451 audits deep into our supply chain so we could uncover problems and work with our suppliers to fix them, and we make it a priority to investigate every specific concern brought to our attention," Apple said in a statement, quoted by Re/code.
In addition, the labor group also found some student workers aged 16-18 employed in the factory. Working overtime is mandatory and each employee has rendered six hours of unpaid work time each month, translating to least $290,000 unpaid wages.
Catcher Technology has released a statement regarding the alleged violations.
"We are deeply concerned about the claims made by China Labor Watch, and we take the report very seriously," the company stated, quoted by the New York TImes. "We are committed to following Apple's supplier code of conduct and will investigate thoroughly."
