'Workers Our Top Concern,' Pegatron Says
TAIPEI -- In the face of criticism that it is ignoring humane treatment of its workers in order to meet Apple's demands, Pegatron, the world's second-largest EMS/ODM company, today issued a statement insisting that worker safety is its top priority.
Perhaps concerned it would be lumped in with fellow Taiwanese ODM Foxconn, about which worker abuse complaints have piled up over the years, Pegatron is moving quickly to rebut a BBC undercover report that claims the Apple supplier is falling short of corporate standards for overtime, wages and other areas.
The BBC report includes video footage on location at a Pegatron plant outside Shanghai where Apple iPhone 6 smartphones are produced. The report alleges Pegatron is failing to meet Apple or state standards for maximum hours worked, ID cards, dormitories, work meetings and worker age.
In its statement, Pegatron said, "Worker safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we work hard to make sure every Pegatron facility provides a healthy work environment. We set very high standards, conduct rigorous training for managers and workers, and have external auditors regularly visiting our facilities to find areas for improvement. We also work closely with our customers to meet or exceed their supplier codes of conduct. When we find issues, we address them in partnership with our workers, their union representatives, and our customers."
The company added that ample opportunities are in place for workers to raise concerns, and that 94% of the cases reported by workers this year have been resolved within three days."
Some 80,000 people live and work at the Pegatron campus near Shanghai, BBC says.
It's not the first time Pegatron has been accused of mistreating workers. In summer 2013, the human rights group China Labor Watch levied several accusations at the contract manufacturer ranging from excessive overtime to forcing workers to remain with the company.
