Microsoft contractors faulted for illegal labor use

Companies found hiring hundreds of under-aged, unregistered workers, and forcing them to work overtime

GUANGZHOU - Two Guangdong-based factories contracted to global giant Microsoft have been found guilty of illegal labor practices, including the employment of more than 300 16- to 18-year-old workers without registration. The companies will face administrative penalties if they do not change their work practices to comply with the law, authorities said.

The investigation was launched by the Dongguan human resources bureau, following a report from the United States-based non-profit organization National Labor Committee (NLC). Their report, released Tuesday, detailed long working hours, low pay, insufficient food and few freedoms for young laborers at the KYE Systems Corporation factory in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province.