| Hong Kong (PA): McDonalds, yesterday refuted claims that it exploited child labour in the production of plastic promotional toys. Civil rights groups in Hong Kong have claimed that McDonalds knowingly employs children, some as young as fourteen years old, to produce Snoopy, Winnie the Pooh and Hello Kitty figurines.
In a prepared statement Asia Region General Manager, Kim Yang Sook refuted the claims stating "...we at McDonalds refuse to accept that we use child labourers to produce any product for the McDonalds chain of family restaurants." Yang went on to state that the term "Child Laborer" has negative connotations that McDonalds wished to avoid. "We prefer to use the title "Tiny-Tot Crew Members" to describe these staff. Further these "Tiny-Tot Crew Members" are well looked after by our factories. They are paid "Happy Wages" and live in sixteen to a room "Happy Land" accommodation suites." These "happy wages" are believed to be as low as $US 3 a day for a 16-20 hour a day shifts. Mr. Yang Sook refused to comment on whether this would be enough to allow a Tiny-Tot to purchase a meal at a McDonalds restaurant. "Surely that question is immaterial," Yang stated, "as no McDonalds restaurant is open after 12pm when the children finish their shifts." Despite these child labour allegations McDonalds still remains a good place to go for a dump when traveling in a foreign country.  Two teenage workers. Each working up to 20 hours a day to produce those crappy plastic toys you get at McDonalds. |
| McDonalds To Pay Child Workers 'Happy Wages' |
Friday, 01 September 2000 12:00
