Labour activists yesterday took the frustrations of more than 700 Shenzhen workers to the Japanese consulate-general, accusing a Japanese company of sweatshop labour. Members of the Confederation of Trade Unions submitted a letter to vice-consul Kakuichi Suzumura in protest over an estimated 5 million yuan in wages and pensions allegedly owed by Hong Kong-based B Planet International. The activists said the company closed its Shenzhen subsidiary, the Huang Xing Factory, abruptly last month without compensating workers. Huang Xing used to make Disney merchandise, such as Mickey Mouse key chains and purses, for Tokyo Disneyland. The activists also presented a letter of protest to Hiroshi Matsui, secretary-general of the Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. But Mr Matsui said that since B Planet International was not a member of his chamber, he could do little about it.
