A riot at a plant in southern China producing toys for McDonald's and other firms was not over poor working conditions but caused when an employee was fired, the company running the factory said Friday.
Creata denied a claim by China Labor Watch, a rights group, that workers at the Hengli Factory in Guangdong province had protested over meager wages, lack of public holidays and poor living conditions.
"This was not a wage or hour issue but was, according to factory officials, (over) one disgruntled employee who was terminated," the company said in a statement.
"Apparently, that termination led to some of the employee's friends causing acts of vandalism at the plant, which required local police to respond."
It added that arrests had been made and that local authorities had responded "appropriately."
China Labor Watch had said the protest in Dongguan city began in workers dorms and evolved into a riot that took up most of last weekend and involved more than 1,000 of the factory's workers.
More than 100 factory policemen, riot squads and security guards were called in to control the situation. Many people were injured and dozens of workers were arrested, according to the group.
Creata said in the statement that claims of poor conditions were unfounded, saying the factory was "one of the best toy factories in the region."
"This factory provides its workers with many facilities above and beyond legal requirements and common industry practice," it said.
"These include a medical clinic, a library, a multi-function recreation area, a computer room and a post office."
