Labubu dolls, manufactured by Shunjia Toys Co Ltd in Guangdong, China, have come under scrutiny following allegations of worker exploitation. Subsequent investigation China Labour Watch (CLW) has released a detailed and damning exposé of factory practices. They revealed alarming information about the cost and work conditions that workers endure.
This research included 51 in-person interviews with Shunjia Toys workers. These discussions began with their recruitment processes, contracts, and overall working conditions. CLW found no instances of child labor in the factory. What it did find was that child laborers as young as 16 were working in the same dangerous conditions as their adult coworkers. These underage workers rarely received the special treatment mandated by Chinese labor laws. This raises disturbing ethical implications about our treatment of vulnerable workers.
In recent years, Labubu dolls have gained immense popularity worldwide, largely due to their unique sales strategy involving “blind boxes,” which conceal the contents until opened. CLW’s findings were recently confirmed by Pop Mart, the world’s second largest toy retailer selling Labubu dolls. The company apologized and reiterated its commitment to holding suppliers to high ethical standards.
“As a result, labour conditions in OEM facilities are closely shaped by brand sourcing practices.” – CLW
While Pop Mart has promised to respond to the allegations, CLW is calling for further action. They all think that Pop Mart should pay the displaced workers. Second, they demand that the company guarantee that its productions arts/lines respect Chinese labor law and international standards of labor.