China toy factory conditions 'brutal'

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Chinese factory workers making toys for Disney, Hasbro, Sega and other big companies work under "brutal conditions," a U.S. workers' rights group said Tuesday.

New York-based China Labor Watch said it found eight Chinese factories remained "devastatingly brutal -- long hours, unsafe workplaces and restricted freedom of association -- and in blatant violation of Chinese and international labor law."

Some employers hired underage workers, mandated overtime and had managers who engaged in verbal, physical and sexual harassment, China Labor Watch said.

"Wages are low, benefits are non-existent, work environments are dangerous and living conditions are humiliating," it said.

Chinese manufacturers, which make 70 percent of the world's toys, are being increasingly scrutinized after Mattel Inc. recalled millions of Chinese-made toys this month for using lead-based paint.

Multinational companies' "short-sighted policies" drive them to "turn a blind eye to safety -- and to ignore the labor conditions in their supplier factories as well," the group said.

"Instead of concentrating on improving product safety and workers'’ lives, companies spend their energy creating beautiful pamphlets on social responsibility, disputing critical reports and shifting blame," it said.

Representatives of Mattel, Walt Disney Co., Hasbro Inc. and Sega Corp. had no immediate comment.