Over 50 electronics companies operating in Australia have failed to make the grade in a review of forced labour, child labour and exploitation.

The 2016 Electronics Industry Trends report released today by Baptist World Aid and Not For Sale shows the electronics industry has not made sufficient progress in implementing steps to protect workers.

“Forced labour, child labour and exploitation remain as significant problems in the supply chain of the electronics Industry. This is the most valuable industry in the world, worth in the trillions. If anyone can afford to ensure they have an ethical supply chain, it’s our big tech companies,” said Gershon Nimbalker, Advocacy Manager at Baptist World Aid Australia.

Now in its second year, the Electronics Industry Trends report graded 56 companies from A to F on the practices and policies they have in place to mitigate the risk of forced labour, child labour and exploitation. This grading reflects the levels of visibility and transparency these companies have across their supply chain.

Key findings included;

  • Of the 56 companies assessed, none received an A grade, the median score was C
  • Garmin and Dick Smith* are amongst the best performers (B range), and the only two companies to demonstrate any measures to address poverty level wages
  • Thermomix, Nutri-Bullet and GoPro amongst the worst performing at D-
  • The report assessed many of the world’s most valuable companies including Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Intel, and Sony
  • No company provided evidence that workers were being paid a living wage
  • 64% companies showed some improvement since the report’s release in 2014, however none had improved its practices and policies enough to earn an A grade

More information and a full copy of the report are available here.