"The evidence we've collected up to now confirms that the company is using child labor," said Zhang Shaosheng, a supervisor with the Municipal Labor Inspection Division.

The actual number of child laborers employed should be verified within a week.

"The Jingtiao case is the largest we've ever detected in Shanghai in terms of employing underage workers," said Cai Lanzheng, interest department secretary of Shanghai Women's Federation.

According to Labor Law, the company will be fined 3,000 yuan (US$361.4) to 5,000 yuan (US$602.4) for each child laborer it has employed.

Besides the alleged use of child workers, the company is accused of deferring paying workers and forcing the employees to work long hours and live in primitive conditions.

The company's living quarters are in a two-story building. The building has eight rooms, each holding eight to 15 people. The beds take up what little space there is, the workers said. Meals consist of only one or two vegetables.

Salaries are even more meager. Workers are paid only 100 yuan (US$12) the first month, and they have to work 25 days in that month. Some apprentices get only 50 yuan (US$6.02) after working four months, according to Shanghai Youth Daily.

The company also stipulates that workers cannot go on vacation during the busy season. Otherwise, they will be fined 30 yuan (US$3.60).

Some people reportedly have to work even when they are sick.

Nearly all of the approximately 400 workers are younger than 18 years old - a clear violation of law. Most are female and come from poor areas in Anhui, Henan and Sichuan provinces.

"I'm only wondering whether the local district governments know these acts are illegal," Cai said. "If they do know, why didn't they report it to the relevant municipal sectors? This shows there is still a lot to do to improve the city's legal environment."

(China Daily 08/29/2001)