China working conditions - what is your perception?

[yuemax]

Hi all,

I had an interesting inquiry from a client - their client downstream wants a report on the factory working conditions where their new order will be manufactured...

Just out of curiosity - what are your perceptions of Chinese factories (the usual social / ethical standards)?? - since I have been in China for about 5 years now, having visited a few hundred factories, my view and perception has changed a lot.

Just interested in your take on this...

Cheers
Max

[Dave A]

If you believe the "keep jobs in America" crowd, Chinese factories are nasty sweatshops exploiting cheap labour.

But honestly, I wouldn't know...

[yuemax]

Last year I did some social/ethical audits - part of the process is closed-door interviews with floor workers...

The migrant workers have a strong family bond (one of the reasons I moved to China), and see it as their duty to work hard for the collective family.

Sweatshops - only in some extreme situations, but (for the USA-critics), Walmart would not be exporting such a volume from Sweatshops...

Due to the slim and small physical stature of some Chinese, foreign visitors may see these girls and guys on the shopfloor and "assume" they are underage. A simple check of ID card can verify the truth.

I don't want to be seen as an apologist for China, there are issues that are serious and can never be condoned in this country...

Turns out the inquiry today revealed no child labour all in order.

If you believe the "keep jobs in America" crowd, Chinese factories are nasty sweatshops exploiting cheap labour.

But honestly, I wouldn't know...