abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb

The content is also available in the following languages: 日本語

Story

7 Jan 2020

China: Investigation finds labour abuse & sexual harassment at toy factories producing for international brands; Includes company responses

In November 2019, labour rights NGO China Labour Watch released a report raising allegations of labour abuses faced by workers at five factories producing for international toy brands in Guangdong Province, China. Allegations include low wages, excessive overtime, inadequate health and safety protections, poor living conditions in worker dormitories, restrictions to freedom of association, discrimination, sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited the toy brands and factories named in the report to respond to the allegations. Basic Fun!, Buzz Bee Toys, Disney, fGTeev (Bonkers Toys), Hasbro, LEGO and Mattel responded and their responses can be found below. Melissa & Doug, MGA Entertainment, KD Group (Inspiration Works), Wah Tung (He Yuan), Dongguan KongXing Industry, Dongguan Wing Fai Foam Products, and Everfront Plastic & Electronics Manufacturing could not be reached or did not respond. 

The five toy factories investigated are ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP) Certified, while Mattel, Disney and LEGO are Buyer Members of IETP. IETP launched its own investigation into the allegations and found evidence of allegations in violation of the IETP standard in four of the five factories (excluding Foshan Nanhai Mattel Precision Diecasting). IETP's report detailing its' findings and explaining the follow-up work it is undertaking at each factory is linked below.

Company Responses

Buzz Bee Toys View Response
Wah Tung (He Yuan) Toy Products

No Response

Dongguan KongXing Industry

No Response

Dongguan Wing Fai Foam Products

No Response

Everfront Plastic and Electronics Manufacturing

No Response

Walt Disney View Response
Basic Fun! View Response
Hasbro View Response
Bonkers Toys View Response
LEGO Group View Response
MGA Entertainment

No Response

KD Group

No Response

Melissa & Doug

No Response

Timeline