CHINA: OLYMPICS - China accused of using child labour in factories making Olympic merchandise

Record ID: 1525923

  • Title: CHINA: OLYMPICS - China accused of using child labour in factories making Olympic merchandise
  • Date: 13th June 2007
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JUNE 12, 2007) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN/TRAFFIC CLOSE UP OF COUNTDOWN CLOSE UP OF BEIJING OLYMPIC LOGO
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2007 11:50
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Sport,Social Services / Welfare
  • Reuters ID: LVA3ZNBTZEJMPQFHYXEKRKK9S2G5
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Playfair Alliance reports that licensed Beijing Olympic merchandise is being manufactured by child labour and "sweatshops" in China.
    Chinese factories are churning out licensed bags, caps and stationery for the 2008 Beijing Olympics using child labour and paying workers less than half the minimum wage, Playfair Alliance reported on Monday (June 11).
    As members of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) gather in London for a progress update on the 2012 Games, the report,"No Medal for the Olympics," finds evidence of children as young as 12 producing Olympic merchandise.
    The Playfair Alliance is a grouping of trade unions, labour rights groups and non-government organisations. Represented in Britain by the Trades Union Congress and Labour Behind the Label, it researched working conditions at four factories making 2008 Olympic bags, headgear, stationery and other products.
    "Our research still found out that in those factories,that are manufacturing for Olympic brand, there are still child labour found in those factories. And also apart from that, the workers are not being paid the minimum wage and some of them even half of the minimum wage. And so, very serious exploitation problem and very very long working hours, more than 12 hours and which is very hazardous to their health and safety of the workers was found by our research," said Lee Cheu-Yan, General Secretary of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union.
    The four factories, which are located in Shenzhen and Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province, were found conducting "severe workers' rights violations," according to the report.
    The report said factory owners were found falsifying employment records, and forcing workers to lie about their wages and conditions.
    Researchers said they found adults earning half the legal minimum wage in China and employees who were made to work up to 15 hours per day, seven days a week.
    Beijing Olympic authorities said they were going to investigate the issue.
    "BOCOG will abide by the national law in China and the Olympic licensing agreement. We will seriously examine if the problem really occurred. If we discover a case we will deal with it," said JIang Xiaoyu, vice president of Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games.
    Most Chinese people are not aware of this report since Chinese media have been quiet about the accusation. When asked about their opinion, people were concerned this misconduct could damage China's image right before the Olympic Games.
    "This is definitely wrong. It means the Olympic merchandise they have been making must be churned out very roughly. It might harm the reputation of the Olympic Games, because this kind of goods should be manufactured by factories that are designated by the government, and their quality should be guaranteed. Then they can win good reputation in the world," said Ms. Xia.
    Some people urged the government to do more to curb the violation.
    "If they do so, they must be seeking large profits. It is against the law for these factories to use child labour. They should be punished," said Mr. Li.
    In a statement the International Olympic Committee said it would review the report.
    Beijing authorities seized nearly 30,000 fake Olympic souvenirs in February, some made from toxic materials, state media reported earlier.
    A week earlier, Chinese customs officials flagged a crackdown on fake Olympic merchandise, and said more than 100 cases of imported and exported goods infringing on the Olympic trademark had been handled since 2002.
    China regularly defends its record on fighting piracy, saying it is a developing country and needs time. But pirated goods ranging from drugs and designer bags to foods, movies and music discs are openly sold in shops and on street corners.
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