The production chain of consumer electronic products is a truly global
one and is facing many social and environmental problems throughout the world.
The scope of SOMO’s research has widened from labour standards at
production locations in Asia and Latin
America to the entire life cycle of consumer
electronics. SOMO started to research the labour abuses and environmental
damage at the bottom of the supply chain; the conditions under which the raw
materials for electronics are extracted. After initial resistance to take
responsibility for this phase of their supply chain, the electronics companies
now acknowledge that the electronics industry has the leverage for change, and
the dialogue between business and SOMO will continue.
SOMO’s work in the electronics industry takes place through different
projects: SOMO is coordinator of the European project makeITfair; is hosting the worldwide GoodElectronics network;
and is partner in Procure IT
fair, but also runs its own program together with partner organisations
in the production countries. This program includes starting up dialogue between
local workers organisations and supplier companies and monitoring the codes of
conduct of the electronics brand companies.
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News Electronics
22-06-2010
Today, Procure IT Fair is launching an online petition calling on institutes of higher education in Europe to take up sustainable procurement of computers. The global electronics industry in characterised by serious labour issues. A demanding work load, long working days and forced overtime are frequently reported, in combination with low wages and lack of freedom of association.
08-06-2010
While Apple launches its 4th generation iPhones, labour activists worldwide are protesting today and calling for the commemoration of the 10 workers who committed suicide at the Foxconn factory in Shenzen producing iPhones and other electronic products. At the same time, the European campaign makeITfair is launching a postcard action to urge mobile phone operators like T-Mobile and Vodafone to offer fair and green phones to their customers. They currently offer phones that are manufactured under exploitative working conditions. The only choice available to consumers is a phone made by workers who are exploited by companies such as Foxconn.
20-05-2010
On Thursday 29 April, SOMO organised a conference in Brussels on the European WEEE directive on electronic waste (e-waste) from computers, televisions, mobile telephones, etc. SOMO brought together European policymakers, scientists, social organisations and the business community to discuss relevant themes such as recycling standards, collection objectives and producer responsibility, and to generate ideas for tightening up the WEEE directive. The European Parliament will be voting on a reform of this directive. Earlier research by SOMO into e-waste shows clearly that this is a growing problem, primarily for the health of people in developing countries and the environment. The problem of e- waste can be tackled by introducing changes to the recycling and production of electronics.
24-03-2010
The strategy of active commitment is becoming increasingly popular among ethical investors: with increasing frequency they are pursuing an active dialogue with the management of businesses to encourage them to improve their record on human rights and environmental awareness. SOMO is keen to support this effective method of influencing the corporate sector with recently published infosheets on the electronics sector (metal mining, production and e-waste).
