New research into working conditions at Chinese factories producing goods that bear the Olympic logo reveals child labour, excessive working hours, routine underpayment of wages and blatant disregard for Chinese labour laws. Read the full report and find out what the IOC should be doing to improve conditions for workers
April 2008 - Find an update on the four researched factories here
April 2008 - IOC update: No real commitment to improve labour conditions
Some examples of what researchers found at Beijing Olympics cap producer Mainlaind Headwear:
Piece-rate workers are paid a shocking 57% less than the minimum wage
Workers paid an hourly rate are also severely underpaid, receiving a mere 35% less than the minimum wage
“This factory overtime is too much and too tiring,” said one worker. “Everyday we work until 11:30 p.m. [after starting at 7:30 a.m.].”
No legal maternity leave is provided as required by law.
For more information on what researchers learned about conditions at Mainland Headwear and other factories producing goods bearing the Olympic logo, read the full report
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