Chinese Toy Factory Under Fire Over Workers' Exploitation
A Chinese toy factory that produces Labubus toys, a global phenomenon last year, has been found to have engaged in exploitative workplace practices, according to a report by China Labor Watch (CLW), a New York-based NGO. The investigation revealed widespread labor rights violations, including workers being forced to sign blank contracts and those under 18 being employed without proper protections.
The CLW sent investigators to Shunjia Toys in Jiangxi province, where over 4,500 workers are employed to produce the popular toys. During their three-month investigation, researchers interviewed more than 50 employees, including three underage workers who were assigned to standard assembly line positions with no difference in workload or production targets compared to adult workers.
The factory's labor contracts are often left "blank and unexplained," leaving workers unaware of their working conditions, salary, and social insurance details. Workers were given just five minutes to complete the process, with explicit instructions not to read or fill in other sections. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about worker exploitation and forced labor.
Production targets at Shunjia Toys are unrealistic, with a team of 25-30 workers required to assemble at least 4,000 Labubus per day. Chinese labor law limits monthly overtime to 36 hours, but workers often work over 100 additional hours each month.
The investigation's findings reflect the challenges faced by Chinese companies pushing into international markets while adhering to higher standards for their workers. China Labor Watch's executive director, Li Qiang, warned that existing supply-chain oversight mechanisms are insufficient to prevent labor issues in a timely and effective manner.
Pop Mart, the company behind Labubus, has expressed concern over the findings and stated that it takes the welfare and safety of its workers seriously. The company conducts regular audits of its OEM partners, including annual independent third-party audits carried out by internationally recognized professional audit firms. However, more needs to be done to ensure transparency around factory working conditions and establish accessible grievance mechanisms for workers.
As the popularity of Labubus continues to soar, concerns about worker exploitation and forced labor in the supply chain remain pressing issues that must be addressed by companies like Pop Mart.
A Chinese toy factory that produces Labubus toys, a global phenomenon last year, has been found to have engaged in exploitative workplace practices, according to a report by China Labor Watch (CLW), a New York-based NGO. The investigation revealed widespread labor rights violations, including workers being forced to sign blank contracts and those under 18 being employed without proper protections.
The CLW sent investigators to Shunjia Toys in Jiangxi province, where over 4,500 workers are employed to produce the popular toys. During their three-month investigation, researchers interviewed more than 50 employees, including three underage workers who were assigned to standard assembly line positions with no difference in workload or production targets compared to adult workers.
The factory's labor contracts are often left "blank and unexplained," leaving workers unaware of their working conditions, salary, and social insurance details. Workers were given just five minutes to complete the process, with explicit instructions not to read or fill in other sections. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about worker exploitation and forced labor.
Production targets at Shunjia Toys are unrealistic, with a team of 25-30 workers required to assemble at least 4,000 Labubus per day. Chinese labor law limits monthly overtime to 36 hours, but workers often work over 100 additional hours each month.
The investigation's findings reflect the challenges faced by Chinese companies pushing into international markets while adhering to higher standards for their workers. China Labor Watch's executive director, Li Qiang, warned that existing supply-chain oversight mechanisms are insufficient to prevent labor issues in a timely and effective manner.
Pop Mart, the company behind Labubus, has expressed concern over the findings and stated that it takes the welfare and safety of its workers seriously. The company conducts regular audits of its OEM partners, including annual independent third-party audits carried out by internationally recognized professional audit firms. However, more needs to be done to ensure transparency around factory working conditions and establish accessible grievance mechanisms for workers.
As the popularity of Labubus continues to soar, concerns about worker exploitation and forced labor in the supply chain remain pressing issues that must be addressed by companies like Pop Mart.
4k4 toys made without any effort 
its all just a game for them . they get paid peanuts & work way more than they need to 
️. pop mart better do their due diligence 
or they will be the ones getting burned 
. chinese companies gotta step up their game 
. I mean, 4,500 workers at one factory? That's crazy! And they're only 18 or under? Unbelievable! Companies gotta take responsibility for what's happening in their supply chains. Transparency is key, you know? These toys are flying off the shelves and people have no idea where they came from... like it doesn't even matter 
. It's just not cool that workers are being exploited like this. Something needs to change 
!
. It's not okay for companies to just ignore labor laws and expect everything to be fine. I'm all for Pop Mart wanting to do right by its workers, but it needs to take concrete steps to address these issues, like increasing transparency around factory conditions and making grievance mechanisms more accessible. And what about the supply-chain oversight? Like, we need better systems in place to prevent labor issues from happening in the first place 
The investigation into Shunjia Toys factory has revealed a disturbing reality – workers being exploited, contracts left blank, and production targets unrealistic. Companies like Pop Mart need to take responsibility for their supply chains and ensure transparency around working conditions and grievance mechanisms. It's time to "ask the questions that keep no one up at night" – what are you willing to do to prevent labor issues in your own supply chain? 
. I mean, I get it, companies wanna make a profit, but is it really worth exploiting your employees? The fact that some 18-year-olds were working on standard assembly lines with no diff than adult workers just shows how messed up things are 
. It's like, we know what's right and wrong, so why can't these factories just treat their workers with basic human respect?
. I mean, having regular audits and checks isn't good enough if you're not willing to listen to your workers or take their concerns seriously. We need more transparency and accountability in the supply chain, not just empty corporate speak 
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. It's time for Pop Mart and other brands to step up their game and prioritize their workers' well-being above profits 
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. The fact that workers under 18 were employed without proper protections highlights the need for more stringent regulations and enforcement mechanisms 
. It's concerning that Pop Mart, despite its commitment to worker welfare, still relies on supply-chain oversight mechanisms that have proven inadequate 
. To truly address these issues, companies must prioritize transparency, accountability, and worker empowerment 
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, every big company just wants to make a quick buck without caring about the humans on the other end of the production line. I mean, 4,500 workers at Shunjia Toys are all being forced to sign blank contracts and work crazy hours? that's not even right 
. And those kids under 18 being treated like regular assembly line robots? 
no thanks... what happened to basic human rights, you know? 
And the worst part is they're under 18, so like, who's gonna protect them? 
But now that we're older, we need to be holding these companies accountable for their actions. It's not just about the workers, it's about setting a standard for how businesses should operate globally. Like, China's got a lot of catch-up to do when it comes to protecting its workforce and ensuring fair labor practices.