Cristy Li

An investigation by China Labor Watch and Peuples Solidaries have discovered serious legal and ethical violations at two factories in Southern China, which manufactures Mattel Toys.

Employees of factories owned by Jida Toy Co, Ltd located in Shenzhen and the Dongguan Grand Plastic Cement Products Co in Dongguang, work for 11 hours a day for as many as 30 days straight in stifling, hazardous conditions, pursuant to some vague contract which they never receive a copy of.

Working conditions at the Dongguang factory which also is the manufacturer of toys for Tomy Co Ltd have been found to be even worse to their factory workers, charging employees exorbitant fees for inadequate food, factory workers are injured at extremely high rates and paid low-wages based on a system of impossible quotas.

Factory workers at Dongguang who recently attempted to organize a labor union to improve conditions at the factory were summarily terminated–Women who make up about 60% of the work force, are continually subjected to verbal and physical harassment from male co-workers, management has taken no action to stop the harassment.

China Labor Watch urges Mattel to live up to its commitments it made in 1997 when it established Global Manufacturing Principles to ensure that its toys are manufactured, assembled and distributed in a responsible and ethical manner, providing a safe and healthy environment to its workers, treating them fairly and equally, respecting their cultural, ethnic and philosophical differences without regard to gender.

Related: In China–Barbie’s Reign May be Short Lived –Businessweek