Report References to occupational exposures Challenges faced by workers months after she began working, at the age of 19, as an operator in production line No. 3 at the Samsung Electronics Giheung Plant. As of January 2015, more than 350 former workers in the electronics industry, of which approximately 130 have died, had alleged that they had developed various diseases. Victims had suffered from cancer, including lymphoma, malignant brain tumours, myelogenous leukaemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, as well as aplastic anaemia, reproductive abnormalities and other health impacts. All former workers described to the Special Rapporteur were young females, including several in their early twenties. With many female workers of childbearing age, the alleged victims extend to the children of former workers. For example, the Special Rapporteur heard from a mother who had been pregnant during her employment and subsequently given birth to a child with birth defects. The Special Rapporteur heard testimony from former Samsung workers (all women) and their family members about tasks performed in the manufacture of semiconductor chips, such as dipping semiconductors into a chemical solution by hand to remove unnecessary parts and manually sorting and testing chips under high temperatures or voltages, releasing fumes. Former workers explained that they would still smell fumes from the workplace long after returning home. Neither the former workers nor the family members of the deceased could name the substances they had used in the workplace. The former workers of Samsung Electronics also described the pressure that they worked under at the time to meet production targets. They explained that they were often in a state of chronic fatigue and stress due to their 12-hour rotating shifts, working six days a week in addition to preparing for regular mandatory exams outside of working hours (unpaid). They described the constant pressure placed on them to train and to pass tests to perfect their workmanship, along with pressures not to unionize and insufficient training on chemical safety. Samsung would not disclose which substances were used during the time of employment of the alleged victims, claiming that it was confidential business information. Samsung explained that it does require suppliers to submit a letter of warranty that chemical formulas purchased do not contain hazardous substances. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that, under international laws, global policy frameworks and national law, health and safety information on hazardous substances should not be confidential. Samsung Electronics claims no hazardous substances are used in its production processes. Information was not provided by the company to justify this claim, clarify the categorization of “hazardous” or to explain if and when changes to chemicals used in production processes were implemented. A/HRC/39/48 43 There is strong evidence that hazardous substances are used in electronics manufacturing. Apple Inc. has stated that it has eliminated or plans to eliminate the use of certain hazardous substances in the production of its electronics. Of note, many of these substances were used in Apple’s electronics supply chain during the period of employment of the alleged victims at Samsung Electronics. Also, Apple has stated that it has yet to phase out certain hazardous substances in power cords in the Republic of Korea due to an inability to obtain Government approval. The