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15th October 2024
03:20pm BST
A recent documentary has exposed harsh and unsafe working conditions faced by workers in a Chinese factory owned by Mattel, the company behind Barbie
Channel 4's Dispatches went undercover at the factory to reveal the grim reality behind the production of the iconic doll.
The investigation showed that workers are subjected to dangerous tasks, with one undercover reporter - posing as a migrant worker - being instructed to handle hot, moulded plastic pieces with inadequate protection.
She was reportedly given only a left-handed safety glove, despite being right-handed, showing the disregard for worker safety.
Isobel Yeung, the journalist behind the investigation, discussed the findings on The Pat Kenny Show.
She pointed out the contrast between the image Mattel promotes - particularly with Barbie, which embodies female empowerment - and the exploitation occurring in their factories.
"We found evidence suggesting workers are paid as little as 2p per day, with their safety not being a priority," Yeung explained.
"They also have to perform excessive overtime and face the risk of losing their jobs if they don't meet increasing production demands."
The documentary also showed that despite technological advances, Barbie dolls are still put together by hand.
Yeung went on to talk about the labor in China, which remains significantly cheaper than automation, which allows Mattel to keep production costs low at the expense of workers' well-being.
Beyond Barbie, the investigation also examined another of Mattel’s brands, Fisher Price, which has been involved in several major product recalls.
“While Barbie represents a glossy facade of empowerment and success, the workers behind the doll are struggling with long hours, exhaustion, and physical harm, such as burns from unsafe machinery,” Yeung stated.
“It’s a far cry from the image Mattel wants to project.”
The documentary paints a troubling picture of Mattel's practices, raising serious questions about the treatment of workers and the safety of their products, even as the company continues to profit from its carefully crafted image.
