An organization focused on investigating child labor abuse found one of Samsung's factory partners was engaged in improper child labor conditions. Samsung cut ties with the manufacturing partner after news of the report.
Child Labor Watch reportedly conducted an investigation of Dongyang Shinyang Electronics in China. The group cited three different occasions where underage Chinese girls were told to work shifts longer than 12 hours assembling parts for Samsung electronics.
The reported abuses by the factory also allege safety concerns and other issues. Child Labor Watch found the conditions were widespread and persistent. Other reported activities included refusal to hire male workers and forcing employees to work up to 120 hours of overtime. That amount is more than three times the legal limit.
The company released a statement and said that it had found an "illegal hiring process" at the factory and former Samsung supply partner. The factory supplied various parts for smartphones distributed by Samsung.
Samsung claims it has a zero tolerance policy on child labor.
The United States watchdog group found the factory had at least five children employed without a contract. The group also reportedly accused Samsung of using child labor in 2012, but the company said it found no evidence of such activities.
Another source reported China has persistent problems with safety audits with Samsung.
The actual factory has yet to make comment on the report and the resulting pledge from Samsung.
