Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

China firm denies World Cup sweatshop claim

Updated at 10:16 pm on 11 March 2010

A Chinese company has denied it exploited workers in making the mascot for the 2010 World Football Cup in South Africa.

Football's governing body, FIFA, withdrew manufacturing rights from the firm after the accusations were made, the BBC reports.

The production of the mascot, a green leopard, was outsourced a member of South Africa's ruling ANC party, who had won the contract.

Unions there criticised the decision to move production to China, saying the jobs should have stayed at home

Global Brands Group (GBG), the licensee for 2010 World Cup merchandise, said on Tuesday it was withdrawing its contract from Shanghai Fashion Plastic Products (SFPPC).

GBG says an audit of the company found it failed to meet the standards required of a supplier by allegedly employing teenage workers on 13 hour shifts and and paying minimal wages.

But the company insists conditions in its factory are very good by Chinese standards and says it hopes to resume production soon.

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