Samsung suspends China supplier over child labor

SEOUL, South Korea – Samsung Electronics Co. said it has suspended business ties with a Chinese supplier that allegedly hired children.

A woman passes by a billboard of Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy 5 at a subway station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO

The South Korean company said in its blog Monday that it had found possible evidence of child labor and illegal hiring at Dongguan Shinyang Electronics Co.

Samsung said last week it would urgently look at the Chinese supplier following a New York-based watchdog’s report that it hired children.

China Labor Watch said children worked at Shinyang for three to six months to meet production targets during a period of high demand. The report came after Samsung said its audit found no child labor at hundreds of Chinese suppliers.

Samsung said Chinese authorities are investigating the case and if the investigation finds child labor, Samsung will permanently stop its business with Shinyang.