Activists Sunday scuffled with police outside Hong Kong's Disneyland during a protest over alleged abuse of Chinese workers at factories supplying merchandise for the theme park.
Around 50 to 60 protestors scuffled with police in front of the main gate as Disney management tried to force them back with restraining barriers while VIP guests arrived for a party on the eve of the park's official opening.
No arrests were made and the demonstrators ended by staging a sit-down protest. They also carried a banner which read "Let's get Mickey's conscience back" in reference to Disney's popular cartoon character.
Protest organiser Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM) said they were demonstrating against the mistreatment of workers in Chinese factories which supply merchandise to Disney.
"Disney is a symbol of childhood fun and it has a responsibility to do business in a way that doesn't place workers in dangerous conditions," a SACOM spokesman said.
A SACOM study published last month painted a picture of worker exploitation by Disney's mainland suppliers.
It found workers at Chinese factories that make souvenirs and toys for the theme park were forced to work through the night during peak seasons, sometimes for 30 hours at a time, but were paid as little as 400 yuan (47 US dollars) a month with next to no overtime wages.
It also said accidents that maimed workers were common.
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