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           The International Center for Corporate Accountability (ICCA) recently released audit results of Mattel, Inc.’s owned-and-operated manufacturing facilities and suppliers in China and Mexico. The reports are intended to provide an impartial, third-party analysis of working conditions in Mattel’s manufacturing facilities, and were commissioned by Mattel as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to uphold its Global Manufacturing Principles (GMP) code of conduct.

      The follow-up reports are the latest in a series of voluntary audits by independent monitors of both Mattel-owned manufacturing facilities, as well as of supplier facilities, many of which also supply Mattel’s competitors.

      “With the conclusion of these most recent audits, ICCA has determined that overall Mattel has made significant progress, but still has room for improvement in a few key areas,” said Dr. S. Prakash Sethi, chairman of ICCA and University Distinguished Professor, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College. “While Mattel owned and operated facilities are consistently meeting, and in some cases exceeding, its GMP standards, its suppliers still need to improve conditions in contract manufacturing plants. Mattel must focus more on its suppliers and seek the active support of its industry peers and competitors, who use many of the same suppliers.”

      In summary, the reports note that Mattel has made many improvements in owned and operated plants and supplier facilities, including resolving workplace issues around employee communications and management training, increasing access to management, updating systems for accounting of wages and overtime, and making significant...

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