Bed Bug Infested Sweatshops

Workers in China who make holiday toys for Disney, Hasbro and RC2 including Bratz dolls are suffering from a serious infestation of bed bugs in their dorms. Workers reported that their bodies are often covered with red welts from the bug bites. These bites can easily become infected if the wounds are scratched. An entomologist said to the National Labor Committee that it would be very possible for bed bugs to make a ride to the U.S. if they hid in the cardboard toy boxes.These Disney toys are produced at the Daewi factory in Dongguan, At these factoriesworkers are at the factory 96 hours a week, work 15 1/2 hour shifts from 8:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Any worker missing an overtime shift will be docked three days wages and workers are cheated of up to 40 percent of the wages that are due them, paid below the minimum wage and shortchanged on their overtime pay. A worker arriving 30 minutes late will also be docked three days wages. Working in 95 degree temperatures, workers are drenched in their own sweat. Eight workers share each dorm room, sleeping in double-level bunk beds which are infested with bed bugs.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article399202.ece