Huge job losses in China over Mattel toy recall
The China Toy Association has announced that Mattel’s global recall of Chinese-made toys has had a huge impact on the industry, with many workers losing their jobs, but added the industry was not to blame.
China has been struggling to convince the world its products are safe after a series of scandals over a string of products from tainted pet food and drugs to tyres, toys and toothpaste.
In its second recall this month, the US’s largest toy company recalled millions of Chinese-made toys due to safety risks from magnets and lead paint.
Mattel warned it may recall additional products as it steps up testing.
The China Toy Association, representing manufacturers and suppliers, said the production of poor-quality goods was not deliberate.
“The industry itself did not mean to produce poor quality goods and paid a heavy price for its mistakes,” the association said in a statement.
“Most of the employees will have to leave factories they have been serving at for many years and are facing unemployment or re-employment problems.
“This has had a huge impact on the industry and society. The recent recalls were instigated by foreign brands. Nobody was injured.”
It also blamed “unobjective whipping up of public opinion” for the troubles which “certainly led to excessive worries for domestic and foreign consumers”.
It added that no companies had considered shifting orders elsewhere.