Samsung faces charges in France over “misleading” advertising that touted its commitment to workers’ rights despite allegations of children working in some of its factories under abusive conditions, reports The Independent.
Two non-governmental organisations accuse the smartphone maker’s French subsidiary of employing children aged under 16 at plants in China, Vietnam and South Korea, as well as enforcing abusive working hours, providing accommodation that is “incompatible with human dignity”, and endangering workers’ lives.
Samsung disputed the validity of the complaint but declined to comment on the specific allegations because proceedings are ongoing.
Labour-rights NGOs Sherpa and ActionAid France filed a complaint in June 2018 under new rules that apply a “duty of vigilance” to large companies to ensure human rights are respected throughout their supply chains.
Samsung’s website proclaims its firm commitment to labour rights, which the NGOs say has not been met and therefore French consumers have been misled.