Question about manufacturing

actually, the toys are German designed and engineered of 100% medical grade silicone from the US and manufactured in China. we work to establish long-term relationships with our supplying partners. This insures that we never have to compromise on quality. we collaborate with progressive manufacturing partners; ones that have a social conscience with regard to their workers. we monitor this ourselves.

With all due respect, your answer leaves me a little unsure of what you mean by "monitoring". China is obviously a country that has in the past had a lot of problems with dangerous working conditions, terrible wages, lack of benefits for workers, etc. It is also not clear that China's new labor laws are being enforced, so it is thereby not clear that these issues have begun to be resolved.

If you don't mind, I'd like to just follow up on the original question by asking how Papaya Toys makes sure the workers that produce its toys are not mistreated in this way? Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer our questions here, it's very much appreciated.

i think it is safe to say that everyone who does business in China is "a little unsure" of what goes on there. you are right to point out the many problems China has with its workforce. you fail to mention, however, how western companies, especially adult toy companies, squeeze Chinese companies to produce cheaper and cheaper goods to feed the rapacious appetites of western consumers. this squeeze inevitably takes its toll on the workforce.

perhaps, each of us ought to look at our own practices as consumers and ask ourselves, do we contribute to the oppression of the Chinese workforce? i don't see how anyone of us could come away clean from such a self-examination.

this is our commitment: PAPAYA Toys passionately believes that we can deliver exceptional quality for a reasonable price. But we can only do that by honoring everyone in the supply line. We will not take advantage of, or exploit anyone, least of all our Chinese associates.

I actually think we are in accord in this matter. I am asking this question precisely because I am aware of the way that western manufacturers outsource labor in order to cut costs of production. Certain costs are static or dependent on an ever changing market --the cost of materials, for example. One place that companies in the west can always shave off dollars is by outsourcing to places where labor is not strictly regulated.

The question you suggest we all ask of ourselves is a very good one, and it's one I ask myself everytime I lay my money down. I buy my clothing second hand as often as I can, by my food locally and from trustworthy farms and businesses as often as money allows, etc. Of course, no one living in the west can come away completely "clean" from the examination, as you say, myself included. But I think the best any of us can do is to buy from reputable companies that care about the impact their production has on workers as often as we can. Can we ALWAYS do this? Of course not. But I know that I try to do it as often as possible.

Anyway, thank you for engaging in this dialogue with us. It does mean something when companies are willing to address these issues in a frank way without all the rhetoric and double-speak. I appreciate your honesty.

my hat is off to you, my friend. congratulations on the choices you've made. if only there were more people like you; our world would be a much better place.