I would have just tweeted this video link but it needs a little explanation.
Here is yet another example of supply chain water-muddying. I’m guessing you’ve never heard of Perfect Gem & Pearl Manufactury Company [sic]. They are a Hong Kong-based jewellery wholesaler, exporting worldwide.
This video tells the story of several employees from the company’s factory across the border in Huizhou, Guangdong, who contracted silicosis due to inadequate health and safety protections. A group of their family members travel to the company’s headquarters in 2005 to confront them about it. Their case was pursued by advocacy group China Labour Bulletin and each of the families received about US $40,000 in compensation.
Who knows how many thousands more receive no such assistance!
(If you want to skip right to it, this section of the video begins at 1:28)
Video credit: Asia Monitor Resource Centre
Story source:
- Deadly Dust, China Labour Bulletin, December 2005
Related posts:
- Long haul for invisible silicosis victims 13 May 2012
- A similar story regarding the employees of GP Battery:
- Book Review: No Choice but to Fight 27 July 2011
- Poisoned Battery Workers Seek Justice 18 April 2011
