Ending Forced Student Labour in a Server Factory in Southern China

In October 2015, Electronics Watch and its affiliates learned about severe labour rights violations including forced labour risks at a large server manufacturer in China. Some students were forced to perform an internship unrelated to their vocational aspirations as a requirement for graduation.

The action by affiliates, purchasing products from this factory, and Electronics Watch helped protect students against forced labour conditions and ensure compliance with the legal limits on student labour.

In August 2017 Electronics Watch conducted a follow-up on-site four-day assessment with support of a brand customer to the factory. Electronics Watch's monitoring partner Economic Rights Institute found that the firm had implemented stricter student internship policies.

However, the firm now used large numbers of short-term employment contracts to accommodate flexible production demands. Short-term employment is often associated with harms to workers as management often lacks commitment to long-term problem solving. As a result, Electronics Watch is continuing to monitor corrective action at this factory.