A new report released by Green America and China Labor Watch titled “Two Years of Broken Promises” accuses Apple of failing to fix violations at supplier Catcher Technology in Suqian, China. Many violations found in a 2013 investigation at the supplier — violations which were shared with Apple — were reportedly seen again in an undercover investigation conducted this August. Employees are said to work excessive overtime and long shifts while standing, and employees working with “potentially toxic” chemicals are without proper protective equipment. The report notes those workers have suffered skin and eye irritation and “are at risk for more serious health problems.”
In total, China Labor Watch counted 22 violations at Catcher in a number of categories, which is more than the organization found at the same supplier in 2013. Despite Apple’s recent announcement that it has banned the use of benzene and n-hexane in iPhone and iPad assembly — the Green America/CLW report says this is “an important step forward for the company” — the company is still drawing criticism for its handling of chemicals. Apple told The New York Times that its May audit of the Suqian plant “found some concrete areas for improvement in Catcher’s operations, and we worked with Catcher to develop a corrective action plan.” The company has immediately sent a team to visit the plant in light of the new allegations.