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Johannesburg - A Chinese factory contracted to produce figurines of World Cup mascot Zakumi has been forced to stop work after accusations that it was running a sweatshop, The Times reported on Tuesday.
Fifa's worldwide licensing representative, Global Brands Group,
has suspended its approval of Shanghai Fashion Plastic Products and Gifts after an inspection and audit of its factory.
The audit was prompted by international media reports that the
workers at the factory were paid R23 a day and teenagers were
forced to work 13-hour shifts to manufacture Zakumi figures.
About 100 000 of the figurines were reportedly destined for
Ascendo Industrial, a factory and distributor in KwaZulu-Natal,
owned by ANC MP Shiaan-Bin Huang and his wife Su-Luan, who
subcontracted the work to the factory in China.
Global Brands Group spokesperson Paul Zacks said he could not
confirm the conditions at the factory, pending approval of a
statement from its head office in Singapore.
But he said the audit identified a number of areas of
non-compliance with Global Brands' policy.
A corrective action plan had been put together with the
manufacturer to "close the gaps and make necessary improvements".
Meanwhile, approval to make the figurines has been temporarily
suspended.
The company hopes the suspension will be lifted by next week.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions said that while it welcomed
moves to improve working conditions at the factory, the contract
should not have been outsourced.
- Sapa