Samsung: Suppliers fell short on safety

Samsung Electronics Co said 59 suppliers failed to provide adequate safety equipment for workers as the world's largest smartphone maker struggles to improve labor standards at plants in China.

A majority of Samsung's suppliers do not comply with China's legally permitted overtime hours while no instances of child labor were found, the Suwon, South Korea-based company said in its annual sustainability report published on its website on Monday. Additional training is being provided to suppliers to prevent injuries to workers and improve standards.

Samsung and Apple Inc are among companies auditing their supply chains to improve worker conditions, avoid use of so-called conflict minerals and reduce the impact on the environment. The Galaxy smartphone maker came under fire in 2012 for conditions at supplier plants and promised to end hiring discrimination and ensure adequate safety equipment and training by the end of that year.