China Labor Watch

China Labor Watch (CLW) is a United States-based nonprofit labor-rights organization established in New York in 2000 by Chinese labor activist Li Qiang. Its work centers on documenting labor conditions, workplace abuses, and labor-rights violations affecting Chinese workers, particularly those employed in factories connected to global supply chains. Although its early work focused primarily on China, the organization has increasingly examined Chinese workers and Chinese-invested operations in other countries. Li Qiang became concerned about labor exploitation after observing conditions in his home region of Sichuan Province. He conducted an early factory investigation in 1999 and subsequently spent several years working in factories and advising workers about their legal rights. After leaving China for the United States on a humanitarian visa, he concluded that international consumers, companies, and policymakers had limited knowledge of the conditions faced by Chinese workers. He founded CLW to investigate those conditions and bring evidence into public and policy debates. CLW's principal activity is field investigation. Its researchers have examined factories and supply-chain facilities in sectors including electronics, toys, apparel, automotive manufacturing, and other consumer-goods industries. Reports have addressed child labor, student and dispatch labor, excessive overtime, unpaid wages, inadequate compensation, workplace injuries and deaths, recruitment practices, and other forms of exploitation. The organization has also investigated labor conditions associated with Chinese overseas investment and Belt and Road Initiative projects, including migrant workers, nickel mining, recruitment fees, passport confiscation, and alleged forced-labor risks. In addition to publishing reports, CLW provides worker education, legal guidance, workplace-negotiation assistance, and a hotline through which workers can report violations and seek advice or referrals to legal support. It has assisted workers pursuing unpaid wages, unemployment benefits, injury insurance, and other legally mandated compensation. The organization also collaborates with labor-rights groups, trade unions, civil-society organizations, journalists, government stakeholders, and multinational companies. CLW's investigations have frequently been directed at the relationship between international brands and Chinese suppliers. Its reports concerning suppliers linked to Disney, Samsung, Apple, Amazon, and other companies have sought to connect consumer brands with conditions at manufacturing facilities. In some cases, companies responded with additional audits, remediation plans, changes to pay or benefits, or temporary suspension of supplier operations. CLW's findings have also been used in public discussions of child labor and have been cited by the United States Department of Labor in connection with goods associated with child or forced labor. The organization has intervened in labor disputes and policy debates since its creation. Its documented activities include congressional and government testimony, legal assistance for laid-off workers, campaigns for injury insurance, worker petitions, support for imprisoned labor activists, and investigations into factory auditing systems. In 2017, three CLW investigators were detained in China while researching conditions at a factory associated with Ivanka Trump; they were later released on bail and subsequently acquitted after charges were dropped. CLW is funded through project grants and private donations. Publicly described supporters have included the National Endowment for Democracy and the International Labor Rights Forum. Its funding position was affected by United States foreign-aid restrictions and changes involving NED disbursements in 2025. According to a statement attributed to Li Qiang, United States State Department funding was restored after March 3, 2025. CLW remains an advocacy and research organization rather than a commercial product brand.

China Labor Watch emerged from Li Qiang's experience with factory labor and worker advocacy in China. Li began investigating factory conditions in 1999 after encountering what he regarded as serious exploitation in his home region of Sichuan. During the following years he worked in factories, advised workers about labor protections, and developed an understanding of wage, safety, and employment problems from inside industrial workplaces. He later left China and entered the United States on a humanitarian visa. There he found that public discussion in the United States did not adequately reflect the circumstances of Chinese workers, particularly those producing goods for international markets. He founded China Labor Watch in New York in 2000. In its early period, CLW combined public reporting with direct worker assistance. It documented labor protests, government labor policies, factory abuses, and the effects of restructuring on workers. In 2000, Li testified before the United States Congress in opposition to favorable trade treatment for China, arguing that low wages and weak protections should not be ignored in trade policy. The organization subsequently assisted laid-off workers from a VTech factory in Guangdong in obtaining legally required unemployment benefits through litigation. It also helped approximately 1,000 workers laid off by a state-owned enterprise in Panjin secure compensation that had been owed under law. CLW expanded its advocacy during the 2000s. It supported efforts to obtain the release of ten workers associated with Stella International who had been imprisoned, including assistance with labor lawyers and appeals for leniency. Beginning in 2004, it advocated for factory-provided injury insurance, an issue that later formed part of wider Chinese regulatory requirements. Its legal-aid program in Shenzhen assisted workers seeking unpaid wages and provided labor-law education. The organization also helped organize a large worker petition concerning labor protections and continued to present its findings to United States policymakers, including the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in 2005. During the 2009–2014 period, CLW became particularly visible for investigations of international supply chains. A 2009 investigation of a Disney-linked supplier alleged the employment of children as young as 13, low wages, compulsory overtime, and unsafe conditions. Disney responded with a remediation process that reportedly included stronger age verification, rest days, and improved injury compensation. In 2014, CLW reported alleged child labor, student labor, and excessive overtime at a Samsung supplier. Samsung initially challenged the findings by referring to its internal audits, but a subsequent company review confirmed some problems, leading to suspension of the facility and corrective work. Li Qiang also testified before Congress about labor violations in the toy industry and about weaknesses in factory auditing. CLW's supply-chain research continued into electronics and online retail. In 2018 and 2019, it reported alleged abuses involving student interns and overtime at Foxconn facilities associated with Amazon. Amazon cited its supplier code and audit processes, while subsequent investigations and company statements described corrective actions and additional monitoring. In 2022, CLW reported further violations at Hengyang Foxconn, after which wage and staffing changes were reported. These episodes illustrate CLW's recurring method: conduct field research, publish findings, bring the information to brands and journalists, and seek remediation or public accountability. The organization has also addressed labor conditions beyond mainland Chinese factories. From 2020, its research increasingly examined Chinese-invested Belt and Road projects, overseas migrant workers, mining operations, recruitment costs, passport retention, and forced-labor concerns. During the COVID-19 period, CLW supported Chinese workers abroad who faced mobility restrictions, helping coordinate returns with authorities and embassies and providing legal assistance. In 2021, it formally broadened its scope to investigate Chinese workers and labor conditions in other countries. CLW has faced direct risks from its investigative work. In 2017, three investigators were detained in China while researching at a factory associated with Ivanka Trump. They were released on bail after about a month and were later acquitted when charges were dropped. The organization has continued to publish reports and provide hotline, training, and legal-support services. Its funding has included project grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy and the International Labor Rights Forum, along with private donations. Funding disruptions linked to United States foreign-aid policy and NED disbursements affected the organization in 2025, although Li Qiang reported later restoration of State Department funding. CLW remains an advocacy nonprofit focused on worker support, independent investigation, and accountability in global supply chains.

• 2025

  Funding disruption and reported restoration

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  United States foreign-aid and NED disbursement changes affected CLW's funding; Li Qiang later reported restoration of State Department funding after March 3.

• 2022

  Hengyang Foxconn findings

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW reported labor violations at Hengyang Foxconn, followed by reported changes to temporary-worker wages and permanent staffing.

• 2021

  Geographic scope expands beyond China

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  The organization expanded its stated focus to labor conditions and advocacy affecting Chinese workers in other countries.

• 2020

  Belt and Road labor research expands

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW broadened investigations to labor conditions in Chinese-invested overseas projects and the experiences of Chinese migrant workers.

• 2018

  Foxconn student-labor report

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW published findings concerning student interns, overtime, and labor practices at a Foxconn facility associated with Amazon.

• 2017

  Three investigators detained in China

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  Three CLW researchers were detained during an investigation at an Ivanka Trump-associated factory and later acquitted after charges were dropped.

• 2014

  Samsung supplier investigation

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW reported alleged child labor, student labor, and excessive overtime at a Samsung supplier; Samsung later confirmed some findings and pursued corrective action.

• 2009

  Disney-linked supplier investigation

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW reported alleged child labor and other abuses at a Disney supplier, leading to a reported remediation program.

• 2005

  Labor testimony and Shenzhen legal aid

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  Li Qiang testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, while CLW assisted Shenzhen workers with unpaid-wage claims and labor-law education.

• 2004

  Injury-insurance advocacy begins

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW began advocating for factory-provided injury insurance and also supported imprisoned Stella International workers.

• 2002

  Panjin workers secure compensation

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW helped approximately 1,000 laid-off workers from a state-owned company obtain compensation reported at 450,000 RMB.

• 2001

  VTech workers obtain unemployment benefits

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  CLW assisted laid-off workers from a VTech factory in Guangdong in pursuing legally mandated unemployment benefits through a court case.

• 2000

  China Labor Watch established

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  Li Qiang founded China Labor Watch in New York to investigate Chinese labor conditions and inform international audiences and policymakers.

• 1999

  Li Qiang conducts an early factory investigation

  [1]China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org

  Li Qiang began investigating factory labor conditions after observing exploitation affecting workers in China.

Independent labor-rights research, worker support, and supply-chain accountability advocacy

• Research and advocacy · 2000

  Factory and supply-chain investigations

  CLW conducts field investigations into factories and other workplaces connected to global supply chains. Its research has covered electronics, toys, apparel, automotive production, and facilities linked to major international brands. Reports may address wages, working hours, child labor, student and dispatch labor, workplace safety, recruitment, benefits, and treatment of migrant workers.

• Publications · 2000

  Worker-rights reports

  The organization publishes reports intended for workers, journalists, policymakers, civil-society organizations, and multinational companies. Reports translate field observations and worker accounts into documented allegations and recommendations concerning legal compliance, labor standards, and supply-chain accountability.

• Worker support · 2000

  Worker education and legal assistance

  CLW provides education about labor law, workplace negotiations, legal procedures, and available remedies. Its assistance has included support for unpaid-wage claims, unemployment benefits, injury insurance, and compensation disputes, as well as referrals to lawyers or other forms of legal help.

• Worker support

  Worker hotline

  CLW operates a hotline through which workers can report workplace violations, seek advice, obtain information about legal processes, and receive consultation or connections to legal assistance.

• 2022

  Reported labor violations at Hengyang Foxconn

  CLW reported additional labor violations at Hengyang Foxconn, followed by reported wage payments for temporary workers and increased permanent staffing.

  Source

• 2018

  Alleged student-worker abuses at an Amazon-linked Foxconn facility

  CLW alleged that student interns at a Foxconn facility associated with Amazon were subjected to excessive overtime and other unlawful labor practices. Subsequent reporting described company investigation and remediation.

  Source

• 2017

  Detention of China Labor Watch investigators

  Three CLW investigators were detained in China while researching labor conditions at a factory associated with Ivanka Trump. They were released on bail after about a month and later acquitted when the charges were dropped.

  Source

• 2014

  Alleged child and student labor at a Samsung supplier

  CLW reported alleged child labor, student labor, and excessive overtime at a Samsung supplier. Samsung later confirmed some issues after initially citing its own audits.

  Source

• 2009

  Alleged child labor at a Disney-linked supplier

  CLW reported that a supplier linked to Disney allegedly employed workers as young as 13 and maintained low pay, excessive overtime, and unsafe conditions. Disney reportedly responded with a remediation plan.

  Source

Read more

• 2020Overseas Chinese-worker and Belt and Road labor monitoring

  Countries hosting Chinese-invested projects

  CLW began examining labor conditions in Chinese-invested overseas projects, including mining, migrant labor, recruitment fees, passport retention, and alleged forced-labor risks.

  Outcome. The organization also supported Chinese workers affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions by coordinating with authorities and embassies and providing legal assistance.

  Source
• 2018Amazon-Foxconn student-labor investigation

  China · Global electronics supply chains

  CLW reported alleged unlawful labor practices and excessive overtime involving student interns at a Foxconn facility associated with Amazon.

  Outcome. Amazon cited its supplier standards and audits; later reporting described an investigation, findings concerning overtime compensation, and corrective action with Foxconn.

  Source
• 2014Samsung supplier labor investigation

  China · Global electronics supply chains

  CLW reported alleged child labor, student labor, and excessive overtime at a Samsung supplier in southern China, challenging the effectiveness of existing company audits.

  Outcome. Samsung initially disputed the allegations but later confirmed some issues through a follow-up investigation, suspended the factory, and worked on remediation.

  Source
• 2009Disney supplier child-labor investigation

  China · Global consumer supply chains

  CLW investigated a Disney-linked supplier and reported alleged underage labor, low wages, compulsory overtime, and unsafe conditions.

  Outcome. Disney reportedly introduced age-verification measures, rest days, and improved compensation for work-related injuries, while CLW continued monitoring other Disney suppliers.

  Source
• 2004Factory injury-insurance advocacy

  China

  CLW advocated for Chinese factories to provide workers with injury insurance and promoted stronger protection for workers injured on the job.

  Outcome. The reference material associates the campaign with a Chinese government requirement introduced in 2007 for factories to provide injury insurance, but does not establish exclusive causation.

  Source

• 2022

  Publish Hengyang Foxconn findingsOther

  Background

  CLW identified additional labor problems at a Foxconn facility in Hengyang.

  Action taken

  The organization published an investigation and raised the findings with relevant companies and the public.

  Aftermath

  The reference material reports nearly 1 million RMB in payments to raise temporary-worker wages and an increase in permanent employees.

  Reported payments for temporary-worker wage increases. Nearly 1 million RMB (2022)

  Source

• 2021

  Expand research beyond ChinaStrategy

  Background

  Chinese workers increasingly participated in overseas projects and supply chains, creating labor-rights concerns outside mainland China.

  Action taken

  CLW broadened its geographic scope to investigate labor conditions and advocate for Chinese workers in other countries.

  Aftermath

  Its work expanded to overseas migrant labor, Belt and Road projects, mining, recruitment practices, and worker assistance during COVID-19 restrictions.

  Source

• 2014

  Escalate supply-chain accountability through brand engagementOther

  Background

  Investigations suggested that internal factory-audit systems did not always identify child labor, student labor, or excessive overtime.

  Action taken

  CLW publicized findings, engaged Samsung and other companies, and used media and policy channels to press for corrective action.

  Aftermath

  Samsung reportedly conducted additional investigation, suspended the implicated facility, and pursued remediation.

  • Samsung — Samsung initially cited its own audits and disputed the allegations, then confirmed some issues through a follow-up review and took corrective measures.

  Source

• 2004

  Prioritize workplace injury insuranceStrategy

  Background

  Workers injured at factories faced inadequate protection and limited access to compensation.

  Action taken

  CLW advocated for factory-provided injury insurance and stronger protection for injured workers.

  Aftermath

  The reference material links the advocacy to a Chinese government requirement introduced in 2007, while not attributing the policy solely to CLW.

  Source

• 2000

  Establish an international labor-rights organizationStrategy

  Background

  Li Qiang believed that conditions affecting Chinese workers were insufficiently understood by international audiences and policymakers.

  Action taken

  He founded China Labor Watch in New York, combining investigation, public advocacy, worker education, and direct support.

  Aftermath

  CLW developed a continuing program of factory research, worker assistance, reports, and policy testimony.

  Source

1. 1China Labor Watchen.wikipedia.org
2. 2China Labor Watch official websitechinalaborwatch.org