CAFOD REPORT ON TREATMENT OF WORKERS IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY

Early day motion 402, tabled 8 December 2009 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 52 members.

That this House commends CAFOD in sponsoring a report by CEREAL and exposing the shameful treatment of electronic workers along the supply chains in Mexico for some of the best-known consumer electronics, including telephone company Nokia and the suppliers making Xbox video game stations and products for Blackberry; notes with disapproval that Nokia terminated the employment of 2,000 workers, including 20 pregnant women, during the economic crisis; further notes their recruitment agency asked workers to sign voluntary resignation forms, removing their rights to severance pay and threatening those who refused with being blacklisted; further notes with disapproval that Microsoft Xbox manufacturers Flextronics made workers share two toilet passes between 70 employees leaving some for up to eight hours without access to toilets; further notes that these companies are making millions of pounds on products and have a responsibility and obligation not to turn a blind eye to such degrading practices in the supply chain, as highlighted in this research; believes that these companies should ensure that all workers in the supply chain are treated fairly, with dignity and have the opportunity to join genuine unions; and calls on these companies to look at the root causes of these problems and to urgently do all possible to improve the working conditions of these workers.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 2, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1.