A U.S.-based labour rights organisation claimed that workers at a Chinese factory making the popular Labubu dolls faced exploitation.
China Labor Watch (CLW) said its investigation found employees at Shunjia Toys Co Ltd in Guangdong were made to work long overtime hours, sign incomplete or blank contracts, and were denied paid leave.
The toys, known for their «blind box» concept, have gained a global following in recent years.
Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy retailer behind Labubu, said it is reviewing the allegations. The company said it would «firmly» require suppliers to correct any improper practices and noted it regularly audits its factories, including annual third-party inspections.
CLW researchers interviewed 51 employees at Shunjia Toys’ Xinfeng County facility, which employs more than 4,500 workers. The group reported illegal overtime, unclear contract practices, and inadequate safety training. No child labour was reported, but the factory employed 16-year-olds under the same conditions as adults, contrary to Chinese law.
The non-profit urged Pop Mart to take immediate action, compensate affected workers, and ensure all production complies with Chinese labour regulations and international standards.
CLW highlighted that such factories, known as original equipment manufacturers, operate under client-set schedules and pricing, meaning labour conditions are heavily influenced by brand sourcing practices.
Labubu dolls, elf-like creatures with jagged teeth, have sparked a global craze, boosted by celebrity endorsements from Kim Kardashian and Blackpink’s Lisa, turning Pop Mart into a major international toy retailer.
Kursiv also reports that Sony Pictures is developing a live-action film based on Labubu.
