NEW YORK (AP) -- A labor rights watchdog organization said Thursday that a factory owned by Mattel in China, along with three factories used by Mattel suppliers, violate Chinese labor standards.
China Labor Watch, based in New York, said its own investigation shows that the three factories, which employ about 10,000 people, violate labor standards in a variety of areas including illegal overtime pay, excessive overtime, forced labor and a lack of requirements to wear safety equipment.
El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel responded that its own and vendor factories are required to comply with a code of business formulated by the International Council of Toy Industries. The maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels said both the toy maker and the division of the International Council of Toy Industries that monitors factory compliance conduct regular audits of factories.
If a vendor is found to not comply with the standards, Mattel can impose penalties including termination. Mattel said it is investigating China Labor Watch's current allegations.
