Teenage Workers In China Expose Christmas Ornament Sweatshop

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Celia Perry

Six months ago, they were just kids hoping to make some extra dough at a summer job. Now this group of fearless Chinese high school students finds itself up against the largest retailer in the world—Wal-Mart. With the help of the National Labor Committee—the American outfit famed for shaming Kathy Lee Gifford for her line's exploitative labor practices—the teenagers have brought to light yet another scandal with big implications. Turns out the Guangzhou Huanya ornaments factory in Guangdong, where the high school students worked, employs children as young as 12, who are forced to work 15 hour days, 7 days a week to make Wal-Mart's Christmas ornaments in time for the holiday season. It might come as no surprise that the wages paid by the big box behemoth's manufacturers are paltry, but these kids earn only half of China's minimum wage—just 26 cents an hour.

Last July, the high school students decided to take matters into their own hands: They documented the conditions by smuggling cell phones into the factory, went on strike, and filed a complaint with the local labor bureau—and the NLC—regarding the working conditions. As if the long hours and pitiful paychecks weren't bad enough, workers at the factory have been exposed to dangerous chemicals that cause skin rashes and sores. But the management of the factory doesn't pay for medical bills or allow sick days and docks workers who quit unexpectedly an entire month's pay.

"These kids are the protagonists in this story," said Barbara Briggs of the NLC. "They had the nerve and guts to bring cell phones in to take pictures. They went to bat for the 12 year olds." Briggs emphasizes the fact that when it comes to Wal-Mart's labor policies, Guangzhou Huanya factory is not the exception. "This case makes it clear that hiring young workers is an institutionalized practice," she said when we spoke today after the release of the group's investigative report. "This is the way Wal-Mart is doing business. It's not an anomaly, and this factory isn't just a hole in the wall."

Indeed, the Guangzhou Huanya factory in Guangdong employs 8,000 workers and is among the top three Christmas ornament makers in mainland China, supplying Target and other retailers as well. The new NLC report finds that each worker at the factory is expected to pump out tens of thousands of ornaments a day, hand painting one every 39 seconds, or spray painting, without gloves or masks, between 64,000 and 76,800 hanging decorations each shift.

Wal-Mart says it's investigating the situation, but has given no indication of a timeframe for action. The retail giant didn't bother to comment on its website about the young workers' plight. Instead, the site boasts a story casting the store in a more favorable light: "Local Kids Get a Wal-Mart Shopping Spree."

Reports of dangerous working conditions and labor abuses in China are not new. The country, long condemned for its human rights abuses, has become the world's most prolific manufacturer in the last quarter century. And with all the news about hazardous toys made in China, it's not surprising that some Washington ears perk up when issues concerning Chinese-made goods are at hand. Yesterday Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) issued a statement condemning Wal-Mart’s practices. "Chinese sweatshops now produce not only the toys under our Christmas trees, but even the ornaments that hang on those trees," the statement reads. "It is completely against the spirit of Christmas to produce ornaments in sweatshop factories where the workers are physically abused and financially cheated. We need to get serious about keeping the products of foreign sweatshops off American shelves. And we shouldn’t wait until next year’s holiday season rolls around before we take action."

Celia Perry is an assistant editor at Mother Jones.

[almaty 19]

terrible and just wrong

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[Ban Hammer 14,652]

hey! they only have low morals when i'm shopping there

[AUBGER 0]

The high cost of a low price...

[GaryC 7]

I have never understood the hatred for Walmart. All the chain stores buy from them. Some even buy from the People Liberation Army:

Harry Wu reveals Kmart buying from Chinese Army

DETROIT, MI -- Harry Wu, the Chinese human rights activist, revealed that the Kmart Corporation is still buying products for sale in its stores in the United States from a company owned by China's People's Liberation Army.

Wu, who appeared at the Kmart annual meeting of stockholders in Detroit May 20, presented evidence that Kmart purchased some 145,824 pounds of men's PVC rainwear and ponchos in August, September and October 1996 from China Tiancheng, a company the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency confirms is owned by the People's Liberation Army General Political Department.

"This company is owned by the political commissar section of the People's Liberation Army," said Wu. "This is not some joint venture, this is not some capitalist enterprise, these are people who force others to support the Chinese Communist Party, and these are the same people who run the military secret police in China."

Wu read to the shareholders from a letter sent in 1994 by a Kmart vice president to an AFL-CIO official:

"We (Kmart) have never had any dealings with the 'People's Liberation Army' nor do we intend to ever have dealings with them."

"Kmart should be ashamed that it is fooling the American people. Kmart should be ashamed that it is subsidizing Chinese political commissars and strengthening oppression in China," Wu told Kmart chairman Floyd Hall.

Wu requested a meeting with Hall to present his evidence and asked that Kmart immediately cease buying any products from companies owned by the Chinese People's Liberation Army, remove what remains from Kmart's shelves, and offer a refund to any consumer who returns one of the raincoats or ponchos made by China Tiancheng. He further requested a public apology for violating what its officer claimed was Kmart's policy in 1994.

Wu is executive director of the Laogai Research Foundation based in Milpitas, Calif. He attended the Kmart meeting with representatives of United Food and Commercial Workers.

http://www.nwlaborpress.org/1997/kmart.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Harry Wu reveals Kmart buying from Chinese Army

Compared to WalMart, KMart is just insignificant. They could disappear tomorrow and nobody would even notice.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I have never understood the hatred for Walmart.

Gary, does revelations about priests molesting children equate to a hatred for the Catholic Church? We shouldn't fear fact finding and allowing the truth to rise to the surface. Children being exploited in this world, in whatever means is plain wrong and the responsible parties should be brought to justice.

[GaryC 7]

I love walmart and I will always shop there. They have done more for this country and poor people than the government ever did. They employ thousands and offer needed items at a price those on a limited budget can afford. If you want to pay more then that is your business. I hope walmart is around for a very long time.

[Amby 490]

wow...I don't shop at walmart very often there's too many people in there for me. I'd rather pay a little more and not stand in line for 20 mins

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I love walmart and I will always shop there. They have done more for this country and poor people than the government ever did. They employ thousands and offer needed items at a price those on a limited budget can afford. If you want to pay more then that is your business. I hope walmart is around for a very long time.

Wow. They drive down prices by selling products that were made using cheap or forced labor. They force people to work 30 hours a week in order to keep from having to give them benefits. Sam Walton would NOT endorse what Wal-mart is today.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

WalMart essentially grows by selling people stuff they don't need at a price they can't resist and will walk over dead bodies if that is what it takes to keep this business going.

[GaryC 7]

I love walmart and I will always shop there. They have done more for this country and poor people than the government ever did. They employ thousands and offer needed items at a price those on a limited budget can afford. If you want to pay more then that is your business. I hope walmart is around for a very long time.

Wow. They drive down prices by selling products that were made using cheap or forced labor. They force people to work 30 hours a week in order to keep from having to give them benefits. Sam Walton would NOT endorse what Wal-mart is today.

They don't force people to do anything. If you want to work there then take it on their terms. If you don't then work somewhere else. I have met a lot of Walmart employees and they were all happy with the situation. Most of what you hear is just union BS.

[Jenn! 918]