Computer industry writes new code for workers

Social justice
November 2004

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Computer industry writes new code for workers
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National Review Board seeks proposals for next study of clergy sexual abuse crisis
Pax Christi sends election monitor to Florida
Religious/human rights leaders press UN on Darfur crisis
Report: global warming threatens 'human progress'

Computer industry writes new code for workers
Less than a year after the UK's Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD) launched a campaign against inhumane working conditions in the electronics industry, the world's three leading computer manufacturers have launched an industry-wide code of conduct aimed at improving conditions at their factories in the developing world.

Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Dell, and five supplier companies have agreed to adopt a code of conduct covering issues such as fair employment practices, health and safety, and protection of the environment. Thousands of CAFOD supporters have inundated the companies with e-mails and letters since January 2004, when CAFOD reported workers who make computer components for IBM, Dell, and HP in Mexico, China, and Thailand were suffering "atrocious conditions for extremely low pay."

IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell said they wanted to heed the recommendations for their own peace of mind.

"If you run into things that are awful, there is no question that it needs to be fixed,'' said Mike Fox, senior vice president of operations at US-based Hewlett-Packard. “The most important thing is to focus on advancing things and not take things backward.''

CAFOD, however, plans to keep the pressure on computer manufacturers. Its analysts worry that the code of conduct published on 20 October 2004 fails to meet all the standards consumers expect for workers making the computers they use at work and home.

CAFOD’s Private Sector Policy Analyst Anne Lindsay said: "What matters is improving the situation on the factory floor. There's not much detail in the code on how change will actually be achieved. We'll be looking to the participating companies for evidence that their suppliers meet the standards set out here."

In particular, the code does not fully respect workers’ right to join an independent trade union and to bargain collectively—which experience in the garments industry shows can make the biggest lasting difference.

"The code does refer to the right of workers to join unions but only refers to local laws not internationally recognised standards," said Anne Lindsay. "But local laws and practices vary significantly - some countries have special zones where workers' rights are restricted.

"If these companies are serious about going beyond legal compliance to achieve real improvements, the industry code should refer to international labourstandards on freedom of association and collective bargaining."

CAFOD welcomed the setting a limit on overtime and outlawing discrimination, two problems that were identified in interviews with electronics workers in Mexico and China.

Anne Lindsay said: "It's encouraging that the computer industry recognises the need to address labour standards in the supply chain. We hope that the companies will now improve their sector code, making it more robust and more likely to have a positive impact on everyday conditions for electronics workers."

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