EcoWaste Coalition Expresses Solidarity with Samsung Workers' Struggle for Justice

In its 5th General Assembly on June 28, 2018, EcoWaste Coalition adopted a resolution expressing solidarity with Samsung workers' struggle for justice.

Resolution Expressing Solidarity with Samsung Workers’ Struggle for Justice

Whereas there is a growing international concern over the working conditions of workers in the electronics industry, particularly among workers in the factories of Samsung Electronics in South Korea and Vietnam;

Whereas Samsung workers' exposure to toxic chemical substances used in the manufacture of mobile phones, TVs and other electronic products has been linked to serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, leukemia, and other life-threatening dieseases;

Whereas the Supporters of Health and Rights of People in the Semi-Conductor Industry (SHARPs) has documented various health problems in 224 employees of Samsung in South Korea of which 76 have already died; an 

Whereas the EcoWaste Coalition is deeply concerned about the plight of workers in Samsung, especially those who have contracted occupational diseases and perished due to their exposure to undisclosed toxic chemicals used in the production processes; now, therefore, be it resolved, that EcoWaste Coalition: 

1. expresses its solidarity with the affected Samsung workers and their families and with SHARPs in their continuing quest for justice;

2. supports the call for the protection of workers’ rights, health and well-being in Samsung facilities in South Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere;

3. demands corporate accountability and urges the electronics industry to provide their employees with a safe working environment, particularly by:

-making a full disclosure of the chemicals used in product manufacturing and their associated health hazards in line with the workers' right to know;

-substituting toxic substances and materials with safe ones that will not cause harm to health and the environment; and 

-providing workers with medical care, occupational health and safety trainings, protective gear, and adequate ventilation.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly of Ecological Waste Coalition Philippines, this 27 June 2018 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.