A leading NGO based in Hong Kong has criticized Walt Disney Co. over the deplorable 'labor conditions' at the factories of its local suppliers.

The NGO known as Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) said an investigation has revealed that workers at the factories of eight of Disney's local suppliers are forced to work long hours and are paid below minimum wage allowances. The NGO also claims that there are frequent injuries among workers in these factories, citing old machinery and a lack of training or protective equipment as the main reasons.

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In other separate report, China Labor Watch also raised similar labor concerns about the factories of two of Disney's suppliers. Apart from low wages, the report claimed that workers were exposed to harmful chemicals.

Both SACOM and China Labor Watch stated that their investigations, which were carried out by undercover laborers, only focused on few of Disney's local suppliers. Last year, these suppliers reportedly conducted transactions amounting to $52.5 billion, including $4.5 billion from consumer products.

In response, Disney has said that it will investigate into the matter. We take "seriously claims of labor standards violations against the independent facilities producing Disney-branded products," a Disney spokeswoman said in an email. "It is our practice to thoroughly investigate those allegations and assist facilities in remediation efforts and comply with local regulations."  

Disney is not the first renowned multinational company that has been dragged into the spotlight over labor issues. Apple Inc. has also faced flak on several occasions over the working conditions in the factories of its suppliers.        

The Disney theme park in Shanghai, built at the cost of whopping $5.5 billion, is scheduled to open on Thursday. The excitement for the Disney theme park is already at a fever pitch among Chinese people, with flight tickets to Shanghai expected to soar after the opening day.

TagsHong Kong, Shanghai Disneyland, china, Shanghai Disney Resort