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13 November, 2006
The former battery workers at two Gold Peak Industrial Holding plants in China who had been diagnosed with excessive levels of cadmium had their case heard in a Chinese court on 3 November. Some 146 workers – mostly young women – are being victimised by the Hong Kong-based company.
In 2004, some 400 workers at two of Gold Peak’s battery plants in China engaged in strike action to overcome the company’s refusal to carry out health tests. Now, Gold Peak is arguing that the 146 workers have no legal basis for claims to compensation, claims for lost working time, or re-employment.
The 146 employees, 95% of whom are women between ages 20 and 30, worked at the Gold Peak battery plants of Huizhou Xianjin and Huizhou Chaoba in Guangdong province. In documents, the workers said they were terminated from employment and given little compensation when high levels of cadmium were found in their bodies. The Huizhou city government had certified that a total of 177 Gold Peak workers had been tested and that excessive levels of cadmium had been found in their blood systems.
The Chinese court, after hearing the case on 3 November, adjourned without issuing a verdict.
Investor-based Gold Peak operates several battery-producing factories in China, and sells the batteries under different brand names worldwide.