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Samsung has cut off one of its suppliers in China following claims of child labour.
Watchdog China Labor Watch (CLW) accused the company of employing underage workers, which spurred Samsung to suspend business with Dongguan Shinyang Electronics.
After investigating the factory, CLW reported that five children were under the age of 16 and working illegally.
It was suggested that the factory chose to hire young children during busy seasons, despite Samsung’s zero tolerance policy on child labour.
Samsung carried out an inspection on Dongguan Shinyang Electronics but no cases of child labour were suspected.
Samsung said in a statement: “If the investigations conclude that the supplier indeed hired children illegally, Samsung will permanently halt business with the supplier in accordance with its zero tolerance policy on child labour.”
"Furthermore, Samsung will strengthen its hiring process not only at its production facilities but also at its suppliers to prevent such case from reoccurring."
The global tech giant has previously expressed its concern of child labour, and had asked suppliers to adopt a new hiring process and a facial recognition system to improve identity verification.
Chinese authorities are now looking into the accusations.
