17/11/2005.

The Canadian Labour Congress has just released a brochure exposing the appalling labour practices in the toy industry, particularly in China where 75% of the world’s toys are manufactured.

“To maximize profits, some companies continually demand lower prices with unsustainable delivery schedules from their suppliers, often abandoning their own corporate code of conduct. Workers bear the burden and the pain of these practices,” says Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This brochure is an eye-opener about labour rights violations, abuse and exploitation of workers.”

In China, workers who try to form free and democratic unions are thrown in jail. Authorities do not enforce existing labour laws. Working conditions are often inhumane and forced labour is a common practice.

The brochure “Toys Made in Sweat and Pain” is available from the Canadian Labour Congress through their web site www.canadianlabour.ca or can be ordered at .