The report found that a fine system was in place so that if workers left their workplace untidy when they finally went home, they would have a days wages docked.

One worker, Li Quan, said: "Sewing the mascots is complicated. We have to sew about 30 times to make one Wenlock. For a Mandeville we have to sew at least 54 times. The skilful workers can only produce five dozen of Wenlock in two days. It is tiring as I bend my back and neck during work. But I have to live with the pain." Each £20 toy costs around £2 to make, including shipping. From the remaining cost the Olympic committee make an estimated £2 from sales, Golden Bear £6, and the retailer £10. Of the £2 production cost, Chinese workers make only 18p.

Toy Maker 'Golden Bear' who commissioned the toy production of the mascots gave an interview to sky news in response to this factory. See video:

In this interview Golden Bear make repeated references to the ICTI care code – the factory checking process delivered by the International Council of Toy Industries. Golden Bear's factories have been checked, or 'audited' against this code, but, audits are notoriously bad at uncovering the reality for workers employed in factories on the other side of the world. Research has shown again and again that audit fraud is widespread and that single day, announced inspections cannot be relied upon to provide the truth about working conditions. Workers are regularly coached, threatened and even bribed to mislead auditors, so that factories pass tests.

Companies like Golden Bear must go further than auditing if they are to ensure sweatshop conditions are not repeated in their production factories.

Labour Behind the Label, as part of the Playfair 2012 Campaign have been meeting for the past 3 years with London Olympics Games Organisers LOCOG to discuss their supply chain responsibilities. We believe that LOCOG and the licensees that win the contracts to produce Olympic merchandise must take responsibility for ensuring that working conditions are fair, and must stand behind internationally recognised labour standards and human rights. Licensees too must work with their supplier factories to monitor and implement programmes to improve rights and conditions in all their suppliers. This isn’t a tick box game, but one that takes long term commitment and perseverance.

This story came to light after a feature in The Sun newspaper. See here for original text >>