The folks who make your Hasbro Toys

[MIB41]

Considering these same factories have no problem pulling a screw on their clients, namely Castaway and Zica, is this news really all that surprising? While Hasbro will need to address this media PR nightmare, there is really little they can do to control what is not within their jurisdiction to enforce. Overseas factories will "appear" to respond if outside pressure impacts their business, but ultimately the local government must enforce the standard. If that is not present, then there is little anyone on this side of the pond can do.

[Figuremod73]

I know the last few years has been especially rough but what can we do? I try to be optimistic even if its rough sometimes. Hopefully someone important will see whats going on and do something about it.

[enyawd72]

If American workers made made hasbro figures, then they would probably cost 10 times as much, once you factor in the wage bill.

They would, but they shouldn't. American workers made products for years and the companies that produced those products made profits, but they got greedy. They shipped the jobs overseas and lowered their costs, but didn't pass the savings onto us. Why should they? More profits for them. They're just now figuring out that if no one in this country is gainfully employed, who's gonna buy whatever they're selling?

That's what irks me about American big business. They always want YOU to do with less, but they aren't willing to. We've become a nation of the working poor. Part-time low paying service or retail jobs with little or no benefits. Welcome to the new America.

[clemso]

If American workers made made hasbro figures, then they would probably cost 10 times as much, once you factor in the wage bill.

[Sandman9580]

Bring manufacturing back to the USA, hire American workers, and make the workers stock owning partners of the executives. THAT is how we could revitalize the economy and the country. Anything else just seems like so much schwarbage.

I agree with the sentiment, but it's hard to be optimistic. Back in the "good old days" of American manufacturing there were fewer goods and fewer foreign imports and "race to the bottom" competition. And things like subsidized oil and agriculture, and huge corporations dictating the price they'll pay to their suppliers, have had the effect of resetting what we think a "normal" price should be.

And few, if any, Americans would work for pennies for piece work (as a so-called independent contractor). That's about the only viable option allowed to a company under American employment law, because if the company hires them as an hourly wage earner, they have too much responsibility to the employee -- not least of which are the state minimum wage and overtime laws that make the entire point moot.

I think the recent immigration law in Alabama serves as a good analogy. What ended up happening is migrant workers (even legal ones) fled the state, leaving mountains of work available to unemployed Alabamians. That was the intention, more or less. The problem was, Alabamians weren't interested. And the few who did come out to work decided that taking home 40-60 bucks after 12 hours of extremely hard labor in the tomato field just wasn't worth it -- let alone a viable career option. The farmers can't pay more than that; the market simply won't allow it. (Last I heard, Alabama was seriously rethinking their legislation.)

As for stock options and employee-owned companies, I think the argument against it goes something like, "he who puts up the capital should earn all the rewards. Executive stock options are an incentive to become an executive. If the employees disagree, they're free to seek employment elsewhere." Investors aren't fond of their "share" being diluted. And Washington lawmakers aren't fond of upsetting investors...

*One final thought -- a few months ago I read an article about Costco, a financially sound, well-run company that has a legacy of humane, decent management and is known for treating their workers well. You'd think it would be a good company to invest in, right? Well, among serious investors they're considered something of a joke. I read a quote from one who said something like "It's actually better to be a customer at Costco than an investor." Yeah, the horror.

[starsky]

not surprised at all of the inhumane working conditions. unfortunately, corporations are not going to bring their production back to america simply because it affects earnings of their stockholders and their corporate brass.

[MIB41]

I would interested to know what all this sweat shop made.

[torgospizza]

Bring manufacturing back to the USA, hire American workers, and make the workers stock owning partners of the executives. THAT is how we could revitalize the economy and the country.

The ugly truth is that we Americans would rather have the Chinese being treated like subhumans so we can buy stuff at Wal-Mart for half of what it would cost if it were made here and purchased with dollars we earned at those jobs. That's why the former symbol of American democracy during the Cold War, Levis, are no longer made in the States: so they could get down to a price point Wal-Mart felt comfortable with.

[kingdom warrior]

Bring manufacturing back to the USA, hire American workers, and make the workers stock owning partners of the executives. THAT is how we could revitalize the economy and the country. Anything else just seems like so much schwarbage.

Damn Right!!!!!!!!!!

[Megotu]

Bring manufacturing back to the USA, hire American workers, and make the workers stock owning partners of the executives. THAT is how we could revitalize the economy and the country. Anything else just seems like so much schwarbage.

[thunderbolt]

^^ Well, this is the same govt that allowed tainted dog food and baby formula to be exported to the US.

[boynightwing]

Are there no laws about this sort of thing? Shouldn't the government over there be doing inspections and such to make sure their people are working in safe conditions? This sounds like really horrible stuff that is happening!

[megoscott]

I'm not surprised, but we live in denial about a lot of things.

[Figuremod73]

Im not suprised. And for Transformers that arent as cool as they once were...

[kingdom warrior]

and yet people still ***** and moan about those badly made Retro figures........