Labubu factories linked to exploitation of underage workers

Human Rights Research Center
7 minutes ago
3 min read

January 16, 2026

HRRC strongly condemns Pop Mart and Shunjia Toys Co. Ltd in their treatment of workers involved in the production of the Labubu doll. Specifically, young workers receive incomplete contracts and are forced to illegally work overtime. Both companies must implement employment practices in accordance with international labour laws and support the health and wellbeing of their employees.

All of the workers interviewed by China Labor Watch, a US-based NGO, were working exclusively on the production of Labubu toys. [Image credit: VCG/Getty Images]

In 2025, Chinese toy company Pop Mart saw the popularity of the Labubu doll increase substantially. Global recognition meant that, in just one year, Pop Mart’s valuation on the stock market rose by almost 600%, mainly fuelled by its popularity outside of China. In the Americas alone, income generated was around 2.3 billion CNY ($3.3 billion USD), which represents a growth of over 1,100 percent.

However, a report published by China Labour Watch (CLW) on January 13th has brought attention to several questionable employment practices utilised by Shunjia Toys Co. Ltd., a manufacturing facility that is responsible for producing Labubu for Pop Mart. The factory, which is located in Jiangxi province, employs approximately 4,500 people with a proportion of them being within the ages of 16-18.

CLW interviewed 50 individuals as part of their investigation, three of whom were under 18 years of age. Chinese labour law states that employment of workers between the ages of 16-18 is permitted if a number of specific considerations are met. It is believed that Shunjia Toys Co. Ltd are violating these rules, as these young workers are forcibly stationed at the same assembly lines as adult workers with no difference in workload or production targets.

The company’s production targets were also deemed as being completely unrealistic. On a daily basis, a team of 25 workers is expected to produce 4,000 Labubu dolls; these impossible expectations have increased the demand for overtime. The CLW report states that employees were working more than 100 hours of overtime every month, when Chinese labour law sets a strict limit of 36 hours of overtime.

In summary, the CLW report detailed 18 “key issues” which Shunjia Toys Co. needed to immediately address, along with the mistreatment of workers throughout their employment. Upon hiring, the distribution of incomplete labour contracts is widespread and must also be addressed. Sections relating to working hours, duties of the position, and contract terms were left completely blank. Employees were not allowed to question the contracts and were told not to read them, only to sign and date them.

The CLW has called on Pop Mart to take action and implement a series of measures that will address the exploitative actions used by Shunjia Toys Co. These recommendations include: compliance with local laws on working and overtime hours; the implementation of legally required training and the provision of personal protection equipment for all workers. Pop Mart has promised to “implement comprehensive corrective actions in accordance with local laws and regulations”. Shunjia Toys Co. has refused to comment.

Glossary

CNY – the official currency of China (Chinese yuan).
Compliance – following rules, laws, or required standards.
Comprehensive – including all or most parts; complete.
Corrective actions – steps taken to fix a problem or address a violation.
Forcibly – using force or pressure; not done willingly.
Global recognition – being known or acknowledged around the world.
Implement – to put a plan, rule, or decision into action.
Labour law – laws that protect workers’ rights and regulate working conditions.
Mistreatment – unfair, harmful, or abusive treatment.
Practices – usual ways of doing things, especially in work or business.
Production targets – goals for how many items must be produced in a set period.
Proportion – a part or share of a whole; the relationship between parts.
Provision – the act of supplying or making something available.
Sharply – suddenly and by a large amount.
Stock market –A place where shares of companies are bought and sold.
Violating – breaking a law, rule, or agreement.
Widespread – affecting many people or places.

Sources

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Labubu factories linked to exploitation of underage workers

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