Jeez!  That's terrible! I don't know if I should feel guitly because what if in a way puying them will only keep those horrible conditions going? While Hasbro doesn't control the factorys they need to at least making working conditions much more healthy!

 

This should be front paged.

 

Is anyone really surprised? There is a reason why the vast majority of North American products are made in countries like China. Sadly it all comes down to the almighty dollar.

I think it is good that this has come to light though and I hope that only positive things come from this and that working conditions get better for these folks.

 

^ this. I think I might stop buying Transformers. I am really considering it. It would be nice for the fandom to stop buying for a month or two and see if we get Hasbro's attention. I'm willing to pay more for my transformers if that means knowing those people have a better quality of life.

 

It's funny, we in the US got screwed out of these jobs by having TOO MANY protections for companies to be able to afford our labor, and the Chinese got screwed out of ANY protections because of their high population.

 

The Fandom's boycott will barely put a dent in things; we've all heard how small we are of Hasbro's market. The real boycott would need to come from the parents. Who knows if this will reach them?

Some posters have pointed out that this shouldn't be a surprise to folks. This is a daily occurrence. Is Hasbro even aware of this? Who knows. It's probably not directly Hasbro's fault; a company's supply chain is enormous, especially a company the size of Hasbro. Depending on how mainstream this gets and it probably will get a lot of attention, Hasbro will need to address it.

 

A boycott big enough for Hasbro to notice would mean less work for factories next year, meaning more workers would be on the streets, starving. This would be because you would be giving Hasbro a lean year and asking Hasbro to pay the factories more per each employee.

Also, why is no one questioning why the workers don't clean up their dorms themselves? I understand they're tired at the end of their shifts, but it sounds like their dorms aren't giving them the rest they need anyway. They could do it once a month on their own and easily significantly raise their quality of living.

 

I fear the solution to fix such a world-wide problem will not be found on a Transformers forum, this has been going on for decades. Like so many other problems in the world there is no quick fix, if there was a quick fix smarter people than I would have implemented it years ago.
Knee-jerk reaction - stop buying Transformers? Well, that doesn't touch the surface of the problem. Everyone stop buying products from China / Vietnam? Best case scenario it does somehow make a difference and what do you get? Local people with local jobs at Toys R Us and Wal*Marts are out of a job. Average Westerners can't afford anything and the economy goes further into recession. Factories abroad close down and those states tend not to have a decent support system for the unemployed. It doesn't fix anything in the long run.
I wish I had the solution.

 

How do we know unless we try? What if the fandom, for two months stopped buying Hasbro product. Two months isn't a long period, and then saw the result.

And I have long been aware of bad situations, but are there lives truly better with the jobs that hasbro gives them?

I agree with what you are saying, but do you think your reasoning justifies not trying?

It is ironic that a fandom based around a character that believes in a better world where all are equal and free is unwilling to part with plastic figures to try to uphold his vision.

 

@Sidbeckett: The factory workers would also be out of their jobs and starve.

Yes, we could buy only 3rd party figures for two whole months!

That's actually not a bad idea, a push for people who don't buy 3rd party to buy 3rd party.

 

This times 100.

 

i agree with this^ it's not just hasbro, it's every single company that produces stuff in China. We're not going to be able to change working conditions there, without overly drastic measures, which will result in deaths, instead of being uncomfortable

 

@Brr-Icy: Agreed. Do-gooder-ism often causes more harm than good because it's a knee-jerk reaction to a complex situation. The Chinese know their situation better than anyone else and they should be the ones to fix their country, they have a better chance of knowing what will work for them than we do. The best we can do for them is to give them stability.

 

I agree that not buying Hasbro product only scratches the surface and yes it is a knee jerk reaction, but is it better or worse than no reaction? I think it would be better than nothing. Only slightly better, but still better.

 

Even if the entire community stopped buying we'd hardly make a dent in the profits. Fans are a very small percentage of the buyers, with the vast majority being kids and their parents. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with voicing your concerns, but a boycott on this scale isn't going to accomplish anything.
What it all comes down to is trying to keep costs down to make sure that people buy your product. I can guarantee you that if they moved their production to factories where conditions are better but as a result the price had to be driven up that people would bitch and moan over them being more expensive. A while back when the prices were raised by one or two dollars even people on here complained their hearts out, how do you think the general public would react? Better conditions for workers = higher retail prices = people complaining about them being expensive. Poorer conditions for workers = lower retail prices = people complaining about worker conditions. It's a stalemate situation.

I'm not defending piss poor conditions for factory workers, not at all. But the fact is that this is the reality of the world we live in. This is what a lot of factories in china look like. The real problem lies within the lacking (or complete lack of) labourer protection laws in China. That's not something that we consumers or one single company will be able to change just by voicing our concerns.

 

Also this. This doesn't make what's happening justfied by any rate, but it's not unique nor is the blame soley on Hasbro.

Do you know how many people in Hasbro's offices this probably comes as a surprise to? More than you think. As awful as it is, this is just how it is over there. I'vebought TFs for years knowing this is how it's pretty much always been. It's not going to make me stop. Even if every single internet-enabled fan stopped buying it would barely register.

 

Let me put it this way: Fewer profits for Hasbro means it needs to cut more corners. If you were able to make even a dent in Hasbro's bottom line, you'd be shooting your cause in the foot.

 

Taken from the pdf.

She chooses to live there. Only makes 204.34 a month but 188.63 covers her bills including FOOD and RENT and even extra items like internet. The news story tries to put it all on Hasbro. Hasbro does have some responsibility but more people need to realize that that country has to work to improve things for the people.

 

I'm glad this was posted, because it's also true. The state of that country is the biggest contributor.

Regardless, I hope this news story gets Hasbro to consider making changes if only for PR. It's better than what they have now