Urgent probe into mascot factory

Johannesburg - A Chinese factory where World Cup 2010 mascot toys are reportedly being made in sweatshop conditions will be inspected immediately, the company responsible for the merchandise said on Wednesday.

Global Brands Group, master licensee for all FIFA World Cup 2010 merchandise, promised the audit after reports of squalid conditions in a Chinese factory making light-up figures of the event's dreadlocked leopard mascot.

The group said it had contracted an independent inspector to "conduct an immediate ethical and social compliance audit and inspection" of the facilities of the manufacturer, Shanghai Fashion Plastic Products.

Britain's News of the World reported last month that the factory employs teenage workers, runs 13-hour shifts and pays just three dollars (€2.14) a day.

The report has generated fury in World Cup host South Africa, where workers are counting on the tournament to create much-needed jobs.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions said it was "outraged" that the toys were being made overseas instead of in South Africa, where unemployment is officially around 25 percent.

"We were particularly upset to hear that this work had been outsourced to a company which clearly pays its workers very, very low wages," said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

"We've always argued very strongly that the World Cup should not only be a great event in itself, but that it should have longer-term benefits for the people of South Africa in general and for the workers in particular."

Global Brands Group said it wanted to make World Cup merchandise in South Africa "as often as possible".

But, "In cases where this is impossible, international manufacturing partners are considered," it said.

- Sapa