China Accused of Olympics Merchandise Child Labor

China Accused of Olympics Merchandise Child Labor

Reuters
Monday June 11, 2007

BEIJING—Chinese factories are churning out licensed bags, caps and stationery for the 2008 Beijing Olympics using child labour and paying workers less than half the minimum wage, a reports says.

As members of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) gather in London for a progress update on the 2012 Games, the report–"No Medal for the Olympics"–finds evidence of children as young as 12 producing Olympic merchandise.

The Playfair Alliance, represented in Britain by the Trades Union Congress and Labour Behind the Label, researched working conditions at four factories making 2008 Olympic bags, headgear, stationery and other products.