District clamps down on child labor

At least 10 companies have been caught in a large-scale investigation into illegal child labor in Daxing district, local media reported Tuesday.

The issue of underage labor recently caught Daxing prosecutors' attention while handling a case of rape and robbery in early February, according to Beijing Times. One of the victims, surnamed Zuo, who was employed by Xinli Textile Mill in the district, was found out to be only 15 years old. The legal age for paid employment in China is 16.

The human resources and social security bureau of Daxing district put together four investigation groups on March 20 with the assistance of local police stations, city administration departments and safety supervision departments. The groups were comprised of law enforcement officials and handed the task of investigating labor employment in the district.