NEW YORK, Aug. 21 Chinese factory workers making toys for Disney, Hasbro, Sega and other big companies work under "brutal conditions," a U.S. workers' rights group said Tuesday.
New York-based China Labor Watch said it found eight Chinese factories remained "devastatingly brutal -- long hours, unsafe workplaces and restricted freedom of association -- and in blatant violation of Chinese and international labor law."
Some employers hired underage workers, mandated overtime and had managers who engaged in verbal, physical and sexual harassment, China Labor Watch said.
"Wages are low, benefits are non-existent, work environments are dangerous and living conditions are humiliating," it said.
Chinese manufacturers, which make 70 percent of the world's toys, are being increasingly scrutinized after Mattel Inc. recalled millions of Chinese-made toys this month for using lead-based paint.
Multinational companies' "short-sighted policies" drive them to "turn a blind eye to safety -- and to ignore the labor conditions in their supplier factories as well," the group said.
"Instead of concentrating on improving product safety and workers'' lives, companies spend their energy creating beautiful pamphlets on social responsibility, disputing critical reports and shifting blame," it said.
Representatives of Mattel, Walt Disney Co., Hasbro Inc. and Sega Corp. had no immediate comment.
There has been no word yet on weather or not this will come up in Hasbro's Star Wars Q&A anytime soon. Stinky Chinky was not available for comment. However, after hearing about this news, Gothiczartan said "Hasbro must make a retooled Dutch Vander wi...Ouch!" He was cut off in mid-thought by an angry mob who proceeded to beat the living hell out of him.
No, but they are going to give Vader's lightsaber an extra coat of lead paint before they ship it out. I just hope they give the workers a little more light so they can see what they are painting. That last ceremonial Luke was way too pale and I saw lots of botched paint jobs on the VTAC Han.
Two of my daughter's toys were in that Matell recall. Some Polly Pocket thing-a-ma-jig and her Barbie pooper scooper. Yes, last Christmas she asked for a barbie dog that eats little brown tic-tac sized biscuts. Then, when you push the button, the dog poops 'em out. My brothers were fighting over which one of them got to give it to her. The set came with a pooper scooper for Barbie. Only the pooper scooper was recalled because of the magnet.
I can't wait for my brothers to start having kids so I can get my revenge.
Dang, you whiteys buy de dummest toys fo yo' little peckerwood chillun!! Gimme a spatula and I be de happiest po'chmunky alive! LAWDY yes!! My momma done gave me a spatula and I sat on de kitchen flo' just playing wit my spatula and not needin no poopin dogs and shit. Give yo' kid a spatula!!
