Ferrero drops Romanian Kinder Egg subcontractor amid child labor concerns

By Douglas Yu & Oliver Nieburg

- Last updated on GMT

Kids in Romania allegedly produced toys for Kinder Eggs, claimed investigation by The Sun newspaper. ©iStock,/Ekaterina Minaeva
Kids in Romania allegedly produced toys for Kinder Eggs, claimed investigation by The Sun newspaper. ©iStock,/Ekaterina Minaeva
Ferrero has terminated all relations with subcontractors Prolegis in Romania after allegations children had been working long hours for low pay to produce toys for Kinder Eggs.

A recent investigation conducted by UK newspaper The Sun claimed Romanian kids had been working for $0.25 an hour for 13-hour shifts to produce the toys.

The family interviewed by The Sun claimed they were supplied with eggs and plastic parts by a firm called Prolegis, a sub-contractor for Romexa SA.

Ferrero said on its website it had begun investigating the matter, but had so far found no incidences of child labor. 

"However, inconsistencies with Ferrero policies and contracts have nevertheless surfaced,"​ it said.

"The allegations made by The Sun contradict Ferrero Group’s strict quality, social and ethical requirements which all our contractual partners must comply with. The involvement of children, no matter if directly or indirectly, is strictly forbidden to all suppliers in all parts of the production process,"​ said the company.

It said every supplier was audited by certification firm SGS and needed to varify the age of staff.   Ferrero said the last audit, in May 2016, found suppliers were in compliance. 

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