As the trendy toy Labubu begins to fade from the scene after taking over the world, manufacturer Labubu appears to be under fire for allegedly exploiting workers, as claimed by a labor rights organization, China Labor Watch (CLW).
CLW has accused the Chinese factory that makes the popular Labubu dolls of exploiting its workforce.
A subsequent investigation into the matter found that Shunjia Toys Co Ltd, a supplier to Pop Mart, subjected its employees to excessive overtime, asked 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 popularity around the world.
In response to the allegations, Pop Mart said it was investigating the allegations and stressed its commitment to ensuring suppliers correct any issues identified.
Pop Mart conducts regular audits of its suppliers, including annual independent reviews by internationally recognized inspectors. CLW’s investigation included 51 in-person interviews with factory workers regarding hiring, 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 noted in the CLW report, several labor violations occurred at Shunjia Toys, including illegal overtime, unclear contracting practices, and inadequate safety training.
Although no child labor was found, the factory employed 16-year-olds under the same conditions as adults, in violation of Chinese labor laws that impose special protections for minors.
CLW urged Pop Mart to take immediate action to resolve these issues, compensate affected workers, and comply with both Chinese labor laws and international standards.
