In a recent report US nonprofit research institute Policy Matters Ohio has alleged labor abuse at a GE factory in Xiamen, southeast China.

The report alleges workers at Xiamen Topstar Lighting, a joint venture between GE and Xiamen Topstar, work a over-64-hour week and are exposed to toxic mercury, without receiving necessary safety training.

The joint venture only employs women under the age of 32 and does not issue pay slips. The employees are overworked and the company's practices violate Chinese labor law, the report concludes.

In a statement to National Business Daily, GE dismissed the report as inaccurate.

Fang Juntao, Communications Department manager, GE Consumer & Industrial, Asia Pacific Region, said that on hearing of the Policy Matters Ohio report, GE immediately began an investigation and would publish its results soon.

For more details, please read the full story in Chinese (http://www.nbd.com.cn/_NewShow.aspx?D_ID=102137).

(China.org.cn April 8, 2008)