Two IT companies in the US are being sued by a home worker alleging he had been subjected to unfair and illegal treatment. The man, Kamsan Mao – a Cambodian immigrant – is claiming that he built PC power supply units for San Jose-based Top Line Electronics, and earned as little as $5 in a three hour period. That's around £1 per hour. Mao is alleging he had to work weekends and nights and that he was exposed to hazardous fumes and chemicals. The lawsuit also names Lite-On, one of the companies Top Line supplies. Mao's action follows the Californian labour department's decision to investigate the way Silicon Valley companies are treating home workers with Asian backgrounds. ®