The report is based on a preliminary research done by HKCIC from February to March 2002, on the working conditions of soccer/football workers in Guangdong province of mainland China. Workers from three foreign investers, soccer/football factories, were interviewed, thereby giving a snapshot of their living and working conditions. The three operations are run by Taiwanese and Hong Kong owners, the manufacturing is mainly done for export of famous brand names such as PUMA, WILSON, UMBRO and DIADORA. Two of the factories have been supplying to ADIDAS, which is the major World Cup sponsor.

The findings reveal a minimal labor protection for soccer/football workers in mainland China. It was found that there were wage violations, long working hours, bad living conditions, bad health and safety conditions, lacking social security provisions and even restriction on personal freedom in the three operations.