I recently came across an article on the Canadian Business Magazine website titled “Samsung, Chinese workers, and labour rights”. The article highlights a few issues relating to the treatment of labourers.

Samsung, an international electronics brand, produces everything from smart phones to washing machines. Many of their factories are located in China. The following points are some of the accusations being made regarding labour:

–        Employees working overtime up to 100 hours a month

–        Factory workers that are under 16 years of age

–        Failure to provide safety clothing and equipment

–        The lack of a system for workers to make complaints

All of these issues need to be addressed and made a priority. However, things get a little hazy when it comes to the issue of overtime hours. Although working overtime is voluntary, perhaps wages need to be raised so this isn’t as necessary. Working excessively can lead to fatigue, boredom, and even sickness. This may lead to inefficiency within the company which is a weakness in accordance with the concept of SWOT analysis. It also endangers the safety of those working overtime and their coworkers. The main ethical issue here is the rights and dignity of workers.