On 5-8 August, there is a very big Disney Fun Fair organized by Disney in
HK. While the proposal of HK Disneyland is the talk of the town, the fun fair
further mobilize people to clap hands for the proposal. Moreover, it is a golden chance for Disney to make money from the suppliers (for the rent of selling stall) and the consumers (for the toys and souvenirs).

In the first day of the Fun Fair, we demonstrated outside the venue
yesterday and delivered a small pamphlet to the people entering the fun fair. Below are two English newspaper cuttings about the event.Keep you well-informed!

in solidarity,

Alice
Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hong Kong Standard
TIGERNET
Friday

Disney exploiting workers: protesters

STORY: A LABOUR concern group has protested at a Walt
Disney children's show to denounce the alleged abuse of
workers who manufacture goods for the US entertainment giant.

Seven members of the Hong Kong Christian Industrial
Committee, waving sketches of Mickey Mouse with dollar signs
in his eyes, staged the protest outside the Hong Kong Convention
Centre yesterday.

``No workers' rights, no Disney'' the protesters chanted as hundreds of
families watched the show, Mickey's Magical Tour, and lined up to buy
merchandise from the sponsor, Disney Consumer Products.

``We want Hong Kong people to know exactly what happens in the
production of Disney products. They have the right to know if it produces
any damage to the environment or to the community,'' Chan Ka-wai, the
concern group's associate director, said.

The group accused Disney of failing to monitor violations in factories
producing its goods on the mainland, in Macau and Vietnam.

The protesters said factory workers were paid several months late, or
only a fraction of what was promised.

They also alleged serious health violations such as exposure to toxic
chemicals in the workplace. Mainland labourers, working 16 hours a day
and seven days a week, were paid only 600 yuan (about $558) a month,
they claimed.

The group's executive officer, Shek Ping-kwan, said the minimum wage
for each worker putting in 40 working hours a week was 350 yuan
($328.20) in mainland cities like Dongguan and Guangzhou.

Mr Shek said overtime should not exceed 36 hours a month under
mainland law.

``Obviously, the company is seriously violating the mainland's labour
laws,'' he said.

The group hopes the company will comply with the law as well as the
code of conduct in treating its workers.

``When constructing the Disneyland in Hong Kong, we also hope that it
can promise to respect the international labour convention,'' Mr Shek
said.

Copyright(c) 1999 Hong Kong Standard Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved.

South China Morning Post
Friday, August 6, 1999

DISNEY DEAL
Rights group attacks 'worker exploitation'

ANNE STEWART

A labour rights groups attacked the proposed Disney
theme park yesterday, accusing the company of
exploiting workers at toy and souvenir factories on the
mainland.

The Christian Industrial Committee held a protest
outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre where a Disney stage show, Mickey's Magical
Tour, was being held. The sponsor, Disney Consumer
Products, was also selling Disney merchandise.

Seven members of the group chanted "no workers'
rights, no Disney" as hundreds of families queued to
enter.

"We want Hong Kong people to know exactly what
happens in the production of the Disney products. They
have the right to know if it produces damage to the
environment or to the community," said group associate
director Chan Ka-wai.

Mr Chan has described conditions in Disney factories
on the mainland, in Macau and Vietnam as "appalling",
citing an investigation this year during which the group
found factories in Panyu, Guangzhou and Dongguan,
where more than 1,000 workers spent up to 16 hours a
day at their work posts, seven days a week.

In some cases, five hours' overtime yielded only a few
cents' extra pay, it was alleged.

Employees could be fined for lateness or for taking time off, while some had to pay a deposit when they took the job. In one factory this payment was only refundable after two years' employment. Workers were often paid several months late, or paid only a fraction of what was promised, campaigners said. The group also alleged workers were exposed to toxic chemicals during manufacturing processes. Mr Chan said the group would oppose construction of the Disney theme park. The Government is negotiating with the company to set up the park at Penny's Bay on Lantau Island.

No one from Disney was available for comment yesterday.