Stephen Frost

Rene Ofreneo, Melisa Serrano and Stephen Frost

Stephen Frost

Stephen Frost and May Wong

This is an edited version of the full report available from AMRC for US$20

Recently the Asia Monitor Resource Center published a report which assessed the way in which Mattel monitors its code of conduct. We called it Monitoring Mattel: Codes of conduct, workers and toys in southern China, and in it we tried to show the limitations inherent in the implementation and monitoring of codes in China (and perhaps elsewhere). We discussed many issues, but here I want to raise three of our major themes.

Stephen Frost

Most codes of conduct are too long for us to include in this issue, but many are online. If you can access these sites you can judge for yourself whether the corporate world is taking the issue of workers' rights seriously. This list does not include all companies with a code of conduct online, but it gives a range, both of sector and approach. It's worth noting that in our experience in the toy, footwear and garment sectors that most companies with an online presence do not post a code of conduct.

Stephen Frost

Stephen Frost

Apo Leong and Stephen Frost

Guangzhou municipal government has earmarked 60 million yuan1 over three years to entice students back to the city from overseas. Each returnee will be granted 100,000 yuan1 with which to 'start up or invest in special enterprises'. China Daily, 18 May 2000.