In reply to Galileo's Universe:

If western companies have their products manufactured in China, it's up to the headquarters to make sure Chinese factories are up to international standards. Can't put all the blames onto Chinese factories, they are catching up in rapid rates and there are holes, just as in the west. Matel toy company apologize to Chinese factories and consumer over their toys recently, dued to bad design on their parts, and not Chinese factories, every player in this game has a responsibility. The western companies should use this opportunity to help chinese factories to get their standards up, and not always be so negative as to criticing them, and blaming.

In reply to KaWai:

...partly true...but western companies would do anything for a profit...that's capitalism in essence....and China alone decides how to carry their own affairs...and they tolerate no interference...from no one.....that is a fact !....let alone anyone from outside China telling them how to act ethically and/or conduct their business...Having said that I don't trust companies like Matell...with their apologies...simply because in my opinion ( if that's allowed:)) Matell has a lot more to lose in China... than China itself....so I tend to take such apology with a pinch of salt....And the more we as consumers hold them accountable....be it China or Matell..the more we are likely to get results....it has nothing to do with ' negative'...criticising...blaming '...it has to do with ... ' true results' and less lip service as we are used to hear about in such matters....and by the way since when is forbidden to express a view about anything that is worldwide known ?.. ......It is just precisely because people are becoming more aware of what irresponsible companies and consumerism can cause....that makes people more aware and are becoming more responsible about the choices they make for the good of all and the environment...and if by any chance the country that is in the wrong happened to be called ' Switzerland' or Sweden'...then I would had written... 'Switzerland' or Sweden'...in stead of 'China' !!!...but unfortunately in this occasion and discussion it happens to be China....and that is the naked truth.....
They seem to be doing something ...but we are not quiet there yet and we westerners as their largest and most important consumers have the obligation and responsabilty to make sure that the products that are delivered to us.....are produced at least with the minimun ethical standards ...it is indeed because of our questioning as consumers that gets results not beacuse of the 'altruism' of individual companies and goverments concerned that keeps things moving in the right direction ... as I see it !

So does it mean that because they says that 'everything is hunky-dory' about their products...one shouldn't question it for whatever reason ....when in doubt ?...I think not...sorry !

In reply to Galileo's Universe:

When it comes to doing business, Chinese are very flexible, they have been doing business with the West for hundreds if not a thousand years. I think the gov't of CHina doesn't take criticism well, and they just have to learn to get onboard with the WTO's business/factory ethical standards. Any factories in China has to learn to adapt to modern standards of working condition, I think sweatshop standards have been an age old problem, and it took the UK, New York, Paris many years to improve and adopt a universially humane working condition. I think it's all getting China as a whole to learn this modern work condition. Don't forget it's recent history that 40 hours a week, 5 days a week didn't exist 80 years ago.

In reply to KaWai:

....and while on the subject ..... one thing that we all consumers should also concentrate on too and sincerely take action on is to
make companies aware that we do not appreciate products were child labour is involved.....exploited under very poor working conditions that are in total detriment to their mental development . education and wellbeing.....I know that it is an Utopia to think that we could ban child labour in the third world...because very often families depend on that income......but when pressuring companies to do the right thing they will certainly get the message.....publicity and image is very, very dear to them.....but we shouldn't leave it to them alone or the government concerned....we as consumers have great power to change things for the best...there lies the true power in my opinion ...and who wouldn't want the very best for the children of our planet ?...........the ones who represent the very best of humanity and the future......we own it to them...

In reply to Galileo's Universe:

"one thing that we all consumers should also concentrate on too and sincerely take action on is to
make companies aware that we do not appreciate products were child labour is involved.....exploited under very poor working conditions"

Agreed! Like I mentioned in my previous post, if the consumer is more vigilant and demanding of fairer trading, then things will change.

In reply to Josh Baker:

Maybe factories who are doing busineses w/countries that are in WTO should register and companies need to post factories they contracted onto their web so anybody can look up the standards of each contracted factories. That is still not perfect because many factories don't deal w/big labels and they might fall through the loop.
A lot of poorer consumers would not care how they got their products as long as they are cheap-look at WalMart. The higher the educational level and the income, the more vigilant the consumers would be. I think gov't needs to promote home grown products and bring back some of the manufacturing to homeland, I think we need to go back to a more sensible way of producing to create local jobs. Mass production is having a terrible side affect which we can no longer ignore.