Electronics Industry trends report

#897 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 25 May 2014.

A report on the electronics industry commissioned by Baptist World Aid Australia has found that 97 per cent of companies fail to pay factory workers enough to meet their basic needs, renewing concerns about labour exploitation in the production of mobile phones, tablets and televisions.

The Electronics Industry Trends report, released on Wednesday, examined 39 companies efforts to eliminate oppressive conditions in their supply chains.  The highest grade of B+ was awarded to Nokia, Apple, Microsoft and LG.

Report co-author Gershon Nimbalker said increasing workers’ wages to meet their basic needs would add up to $9 to the retail cost of a smartphone.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Australian Retailers Association chief executive Russell Zimmerman said most local retailers wanted to do “the right thing” but struggled to obtain information about supply chains.

So if you’re in the market for a fair phone, tablet or TV, check out the Baptist World Aid report.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.