Sweden exploits factory workers in China: report
Published: 27 Jun 12 07:26 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41672/20120627/
Swedish businesses with production facilities in China have been criticized for the poor conditions the Chinese workers suffer, according to a new report from the labour rights watchdog Swedwatch.
- The 'absolute truth' about tacos in Stockholm (21 May 13)
- Bildt welcomes China's new Arctic Council status (15 May 13)
- The British barber a cut above the rest (6 May 13)
“The companies themselves provided us with a number of addresses, so one can assume they are good examples, yet there were work places where people worked on contract, without breaks, and in bad lighting,” said Kristina Areskog Bjurling of Swedwatch to the TT news agency.
During the spring, visits were made to five Chinese factories that make products for Swedish companies Jula, Biltema, Rusta and Clas Ohlson.
The working conditions were bad, according to the Swedwatch report, with the worst being the suppliers of sun chairs and air mattresses for Jula and Biltema.
“The working times were too long--11-13 hours a day--and at Jula’s factory, workers were only given one day off a month. According to Chinese law, workers should have one day off a week,” Bjurling told TT.
However, both Clas Ohlson and Rusta are now taking more responsibility than they did in 2005.
“Back then, Clas Ohlson didn’t even know where the goods were being produced, but now they have roughly 500 inspections each year as well as staff and offices on-site. Rusta has more resources on the way.”
Household goods retailer Jula had the weakest corporate social responsibility follow-up, but CEO Joachim Frykberg told TT that this will soon change.
“After the summer we’re going to have people in China who only work to ensure the deliveries meet the requirements we set,” Frykberg said.
TT/The Local/og
twitter.com/thelocalsweden
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Ericsson probed over suspected bribes
Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson is suspected of having bribed ministers in Romania in connection with being awarded a contract for the country's emergency number and is now under investigation in the United States. READ () »
Warning over 'long-term' Swedish export slump
Sweden's largest business confederation has gone out guns blazing, criticizing politicians for not facing up to the challenges of "a lost year for Swedish exports" in 2012. READ () »
'Lean hospital a sign of Swedish welfare reform'
A Stockholm hospital saved from closure by private health care providers has been hailed by the Economist as one of modern's Sweden public-private success stories. READ () »
H&M mulls production in South America and Africa
Swedish clothing giant H&M is looking into the possibility of sourcing its production to South America, Central America, and even Africa, chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said on Monday. READ () »
Nord Stream plans new gas pipelines
Gas pipeline firm Nord Stream will hold an information meeting on the Baltic island of Gotland on Monday to introduce a proposal to extend its controversial gas pipeline project. READ () »
'Sweden next in line for housing market crash'
Sweden tops a list of countries that risk suffering a housing market crash, Germany's Commerzbank has warned, citing the slackening off of Swedish property prices as a harbinger of a potential downswing. READ () »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Solna, a suburb just north of Stockholm, is the best place to live in Sweden, according to a new ranking published on Friday by Swedish news magazine Fokus. READ () »
Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world
Ingrad Kamprad, the founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, finished fifth on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published on Friday, with an estimated fortune of $55.6 billion. READ () »
LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill
A Swedish man is facing a five-million kronor ($750,000) add-on to his tax bill after the authorities took a proper look at his account on the professional networking site LinkedIn. READ () »
India in no rush to open first Ikea store
The first Ikea store to open in India may not be ready for years, with the India head of the Swedish furniture giant prepared to wait until the the perfect location is found for the first of the 25 planned stores. READ () »
- 15/05 Sweden plummets in income equality ranking »
- 15/05 Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers »
- 15/05 Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real »
- 15/05 Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad »
- 14/05 Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden »
- 13/05 Nordea tracked clients in secret 'black book' »
- 10/05 ABB executive to quit after five-year tenure »
- 10/05 Borg defends critique of strong Swedish krona »
- 08/05 EU green lights Volvo and Dongfeng merger »
- 08/05 Sweden sells toxic Baltic salmon to EU: report »
| 22/05 | Accounting ManagerMichael Page | Göteborg |
| 22/05 | Accounting ManagerMichael Page | Göteborg, VTG |
| 22/05 | Architectural Engineer #8409Aker Advantage | Stockholm |
| 22/05 | Controller Tele2 Group ProductTele2 | Kista |
| 22/05 | Head of Product Control - If IndustrialIF skadeförsäkring | Stockholm, Nordic |
| 22/05 | Internship - ResearcherEricsson | Stockholm |
| 22/05 | Manager project management officeAker Advantage | Stavanger |
| 22/05 | Purchasing ControllerHuman Capital | Stockholm |
| 22/05 | Risk & Compliance ManagerHuman Capital | Stockholm |
| 21/05 | .Net Software ArchitectsVolvo Information Technology AB | Göteborg, VTG |
- 22/05 Spain and Germany fight youth employment »
- 21/05 Car boss asks Merkel to rethink CO2 pledge »
- 21/05 SAP to hire hundreds of autistic IT experts »
- 18/05 Economists warn against German euro exit »
- 17/05 Germany cool to France's EU economy plan »
- 17/05 Au pairs rules relax for non-German families »
- 16/05 Germany refuses to slam French economic policy »
- 16/05 Capri-Sun drink wins false advertising award »
- 15/05 Anaemic economy feels winter chill »
- 15/05 ThyssenKrupp bins 3,000 admin jobs »
- 13:23 Your favorite place
- 12:53 Favorite mobile phone
- 12:34 Unlocking mobile phones
- 12:29 Living costs in London
- 12:21 Can you recommend an excellent immigration lawyer?
- 11:08 Labor/Swedish Laws regarding Forced Vacations
- 11:08 90% of male population gay?
- 11:03 My scary encounter with Swedbank.
- 10:55 Husby Riots and violence against the police...
- 07:18 Salary expectations for managing a busy bar?
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
So aslong as one makes no noise it`s allright?
I'd call it Western hypocrisy, and we're all part of it. In order for us to have our daily dose of high living standards, large parts of the world's population have to suffer. It has always been so. If we want that to change, we must let go of our current living standards! But, letting go was never a strength of the west, and that won't change in the near future.
Only someone who hates - or dislikes - Sweden in particular, would call it Swedish hypocrisy.