ENGLAND – Makers of Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville cuddly toys have apologised for an error that caused Chinese labour wages to show as 26p per hour instead of the “industry standard” of 62p.
Following the public outcry, Telford based firm Golden Bear launched an extensive investigation into work environment conditions – This was concluded on discovery of an error in the company’s accounting software.
It’s understood a junior member of the finance department had mistakenly entered “26” instead of “62” in the “wages” column while playing Angry Birds.
Correction
Golden Bear said they were “devastated” to hear workers making the mascots were labouring for more than 11 hours a day for less than half a respectable wage for Chinese labourers.
Speaking under condition of anonymity, the employee in question admitted “I know I shouldn’t have been playing Angry Birds at work, but finance can be a little slow sometimes. I’m so embarrassed.”
The company explained the situation had been rectified by and the workers could look forward to the correct and full remuneration package of 62p moving forward.
A London 2012 spokesperson said it placed a high priority on “environmental, social and ethical issues” when securing goods, but understood that “these things happened sometimes.”
“We all get those ‘woops’ moments,” admitted Patricia Jones. “I remember one time I got on the 42 bus instead of the 24. Didn’t know where I was going – silly billy!”
‘We’re not monsters’
In a show of good faith, Golden Bear also promised to conduct a “quick whip around the office” to personally pay back lost wages as a result of the clerical error.
Having signed up to London Olympic Games Organising Committee’s Sustainable Sourcing Code, agreeing to fair trade practices, the error proved highly embarrassing for the toy maker.
“Obviously we don’t expect people to work all day hunched over a sewing machine with no time off for 26p an hour,” a statement read. “That is of course outrageous.”
“We have contacted all of our licensees to reiterate to them the importance of having the 2 and the 6 the correct way round.”
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