China supplier of Samsung sues US watchdog

HEG Electronics files lawsuit against China Labor Watch, accusing it of spreading false rumours of child labour.

Samsung said a joint investigation with HEG and another probe by local authorities found no child labour [Reuters]

A Chinese supplier of Samsung Electronics has filed a lawsuit accusing a New York-based labour watchdog of spreading false rumours of child labour, but the group says it has evidence to support its report.

Samsung said on Thursday the lawsuit against China Labor Watch was filed in a Chinese court this week by HEG Electronics, which produces mobile phone components.

China Labor Watch had accused the company in Guangdong province in southern China of hiring more than 10 child workers.

Samsung said a joint investigation with HEG and another probe by local authorities found no child labour. HEG and Samsung called on China Labor Watch to apologise.

CLW said it had a list of child workers’ identities and rejected the lawsuit as an effort to bolster HEG’s image.

Source: AP