While the trendy Labubu toy has begun to fade from the scene after taking the world by storm, the manufacturer of Labubu appears to be coming under fire for allegedly exploiting workers, as claimed by a labor rights organization, China Labor Watch (CLW).
CLW accused the Chinese factory that makes the popular Labubu dolls of exploiting its workforce.
A subsequent investigation into the matter revealed that Shunjia Toys Co Ltd, a supplier to Pop Mart, subjected employees to excessive overtime, required them to sign blank or incomplete contracts, and denied them paid leave.
For those unfamiliar, Labubu dolls, known for their viral appeal and “blind box” sales, have gained immense traction around the world.
In response to the allegations, Pop Mart stated that it is investigating the claims and emphasized its commitment to ensuring that suppliers rectify any issues identified.
Pop Mart conducts regular audits of its suppliers, including annual independent reviews by internationally recognized inspectors. CLW’s research involved 51 face-to-face interviews with factory workers about recruitment, contracts and working conditions.
The factory, located in Guangdong province, has more than 4,500 workers and is Pop Mart’s main manufacturing facility.
As described in the CLW report, several labor violations were committed at Shunjia Toys, including illegal overtime, unclear contract practices, and inadequate safety training.
While no child labor was found, the factory employed 16-year-olds under the same conditions as adults, violating Chinese labor laws that require special protections for minors.
CLW urged Pop Mart to take immediate steps to address these issues, compensate affected workers, and comply with both Chinese labor laws and international standards.
