Exploitation at the Heart of China's Furry Toy Phenomenon
A Chinese labor rights NGO has uncovered disturbing evidence of worker exploitation in the supply chain of Labubus, the popular furry toys that have taken the world by storm. According to an investigation by China Labor Watch (CLW), one of Pop Mart's suppliers for Labubus has engaged in exploitative workplace practices, including workers being forced to sign blank contracts, underage employees being employed without proper protections, and inadequate health and safety training.
The investigation found that Shunjia Toys, a factory in south-east China's Jiangxi province, employs over 4,500 people, mostly on the assembly line production of Labubus. The researchers interviewed more than 50 employees, including three under the age of 18, who were working exclusively on Labubus. Despite being assigned to standard assembly line positions with no difference in workload or production targets to adult workers, the underage employees did not understand the nature of their contracts and had no clear concept of their legal status.
Workers at Shunjia Toys reported being given unrealistic production targets, with a team of 25-30 workers required to assemble at least 4,000 Labubus a day. This is significantly higher than the Chinese labor law limit for monthly overtime of 36 hours, as workers often worked over 100 additional hours each month.
The investigation also found that workers were given only five minutes to complete the process of signing their employment contracts, which had various sections left blank and unexplained. The researchers noted that this practice is not uncommon in China's manufacturing sector, where workers work long hours for low pay with scant enforcement of labor protections.
Pop Mart, the Hong Kong-listed company behind Labubus, has responded to the findings by stating that it takes the welfare and safety of its workers very seriously. However, it is unclear how the company intends to address these issues, as CLW's executive director Li Qiang suggests that existing supply-chain oversight mechanisms are insufficient to identify and prevent labor issues in a timely and effective manner.
The investigation highlights the challenges faced by Chinese companies pushing into international markets while adhering to higher standards for their workers. The lack of transparency around factory working conditions and supply chain structure also makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about where to source products.
As the demand for Labubus continues to soar, with sales generating 4.8 billion yuan (£511m) in the first half of 2025 alone, there is a growing need for greater accountability from companies like Pop Mart and their suppliers. The exploitation of workers at Shunjia Toys factory serves as a stark reminder that labor rights are not always prioritized in China's manufacturing sector, and that more needs to be done to protect these workers.
A Chinese labor rights NGO has uncovered disturbing evidence of worker exploitation in the supply chain of Labubus, the popular furry toys that have taken the world by storm. According to an investigation by China Labor Watch (CLW), one of Pop Mart's suppliers for Labubus has engaged in exploitative workplace practices, including workers being forced to sign blank contracts, underage employees being employed without proper protections, and inadequate health and safety training.
The investigation found that Shunjia Toys, a factory in south-east China's Jiangxi province, employs over 4,500 people, mostly on the assembly line production of Labubus. The researchers interviewed more than 50 employees, including three under the age of 18, who were working exclusively on Labubus. Despite being assigned to standard assembly line positions with no difference in workload or production targets to adult workers, the underage employees did not understand the nature of their contracts and had no clear concept of their legal status.
Workers at Shunjia Toys reported being given unrealistic production targets, with a team of 25-30 workers required to assemble at least 4,000 Labubus a day. This is significantly higher than the Chinese labor law limit for monthly overtime of 36 hours, as workers often worked over 100 additional hours each month.
The investigation also found that workers were given only five minutes to complete the process of signing their employment contracts, which had various sections left blank and unexplained. The researchers noted that this practice is not uncommon in China's manufacturing sector, where workers work long hours for low pay with scant enforcement of labor protections.
Pop Mart, the Hong Kong-listed company behind Labubus, has responded to the findings by stating that it takes the welfare and safety of its workers very seriously. However, it is unclear how the company intends to address these issues, as CLW's executive director Li Qiang suggests that existing supply-chain oversight mechanisms are insufficient to identify and prevent labor issues in a timely and effective manner.
The investigation highlights the challenges faced by Chinese companies pushing into international markets while adhering to higher standards for their workers. The lack of transparency around factory working conditions and supply chain structure also makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about where to source products.
As the demand for Labubus continues to soar, with sales generating 4.8 billion yuan (£511m) in the first half of 2025 alone, there is a growing need for greater accountability from companies like Pop Mart and their suppliers. The exploitation of workers at Shunjia Toys factory serves as a stark reminder that labor rights are not always prioritized in China's manufacturing sector, and that more needs to be done to protect these workers.
! 4,500 employees at Shunjia Toys factory are being pushed to work crazy hours for super low pay, and some under-18s aren't even supposed to be working in the first place 
. It's like, I get that companies wanna make a profit, but not at the expense of our fellow humans 
.
, but it's time for them to put their money where their mouth is 
. We need more transparency and accountability in the supply chain, so consumers can know what they're getting themselves into 
. The demand for Labubus might be high, but that doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye to the humans making these cute little toys 
.
. It's time for us to use our purchasing power to support companies that treat their workers with respect and kindness 
!
I mean come on, 4,500 people crammed into a factory in one of the most populous provinces in China? That's just insane! 
No wonder they can't get it together with quality control... if you can even call it that. It's not like these kids under 18 have a say in their own lives. Underage employees working overtime? Unbelievable! 
The fact that Pop Mart is all like "we care" but doesn't actually do anything to fix the problem just makes me roll my eyes... like, what exactly are you gonna do about it? Fire someone? That's not gonna change a thing. 
We need more transparency in these supply chains and actual action from companies instead of just lip service... I mean, have we really forgotten how exploitative China can be with its labor laws? It's a slippery slope, man... 4.8 billion yuan is some serious cash, but I guess it's all about making those pennies 
. I mean, come on, 4,000 toys a day? That's crazy! And the way they're being treated like machines, not even understanding what they signed... it's just not right 
. I mean, think about it, we had our fair share of sweatshop scandals back then too. Remember those Nike ads with Colin Kendall in China? It was all so exploitative and shady. Fast forward to now, and I'm just surprised that Pop Mart got caught up in this mess so quickly. They're basically profiting off these adorable but soul-sucking Labubus toys without giving a care about the workers behind them 
. And what really gets me is how some companies think they can outrun accountability by just responding with generic PR speak 
. It's time for them to take responsibility and make real changes to protect these poor workers 
but you know what? it also makes me think that maybe this is a wake-up call for companies and consumers alike to be more responsible and transparent about where their products come from 
like we should definitely be supporting companies that prioritize worker safety and fair labor practices, but at the same time, let's not forget that there are people making these cute furry toys and they deserve respect and fairness too 
It's crazy to think about those under 18 working long hours for low pay and having contracts they don't even understand. And yeah, it's not like Pop Mart was entirely in the dark - they did respond after being found out, but it's all so convenient when it comes down to it 
this is so messed up 
it's time for greater transparency around factory working conditions and supply chain structures 
I need more sources and evidence before I can start giving this story some serious cred. 
the problem is pop mart just says it takes welfare seriously but how come if thats true why didnt they catch this earlier? 
but like, what can we really do as consumers other than just boycott pop mart 
. I mean, it's one thing to get excited about Labubus, but what about the people making them? The investigation is spot on, and it's clear that Pop Mart needs to do a lot more than just say they care about their workers 
. It's time to start looking beyond the cute furries and see the real impact on the workers 
.
factories making billions from cute toys gotta think about the ppl makin them 
i feel bad for the under 18s who gotta sign contracts without understandin what's goin on 
it's like, how hard can it be to make a product that's just a toy?!