Samsung China supplier sues US labor watchdog

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A Chinese supplier of Samsung Electronics Co. has filed a lawsuit accusing a New York-based labor watchdog of spreading false rumors of child labor, but the labor group says it has evidence to back up its report.

Samsung said Thursday the lawsuit against China Labor Watch was filed in a Chinese court this week by HEG Electronics, which produces mobile phone components.

China Labor Watch had accused the company in Guangdong province in southern China of hiring more than 10 child workers.

Samsung said a joint investigation with HEG and another probe by local authorities found no child labor. HEG and Samsung called on China Labor Watch to apologize.

CLW said it had a list of child workers' identities and rejected the lawsuit as an effort to bolster HEG's image.