Apple's investigation report on forced labor of students at the Chinese factory

Apple today announced that it was "urgently investigating" a report that Apple Watch's maker, Quanta Computer, allegedly subjected teenage students to illegal working conditions in its factory. the Chinese city of Chongqing.

"We are urgently investigating the report that trainee students added in September would be working overtime and night shifts," Apple said in a statement. CNN. "We have a zero tolerance for non-compliance with our standards and we ensure prompt action and appropriate corrective action if we discover code violations."

In a report released last week, Hong Kong's labor rights group Students and Scholars Against Corporate Bebehavior said Quanta was using "a significant number of student workers aged 16 to 19" to bring together Apple Watch, in working conditions that do not comply with Chinese regulations or Apple's own standards.

A survey conducted during the summer of 2018 revealed that many students were forced to do an internship at Quanta or were at risk of graduating later than expected. According to the results, internships were often not related to each student's field of study and lacked an educational element.

"Our school told us that we would be delayed if we did not do the internship," said a preschool student. "If we resign, we will also receive our graduation certificate six months later than the others."

The report also revealed that students were often illegally required to work at least a few extra hours per day and night shift.

In its statement, Apple said it had audited the Quanta plant in Chongqing three times between March and June, and found "that no student trainee was working on Apple products at that time," but said students may have been hired in September. Apple has promised to take action if it finds violations.

On its Supplier Liability website, Apple states that it and its suppliers must adhere to the "highest standards" of human rights, environmental protection and responsible business practices in the supply chain.

In its 2018 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report, Apple said it imposed a limit of "no more than 10% of student enrollment in a vendor facility". The report adds that suppliers may offer overtime "only on a voluntary basis" and that factories must give employees "a full day off for six days of work".

Last year, Apple and its largest manufacturer, Foxconn, confirmed cases of students working overtime to assemble the iPhone X, and both companies promised to take corrective action. Apple said overtime was done voluntarily, with compensation and appropriate benefits, but in violation of Foxconn's policy.

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