Only a Zakumi soccer World Cup figurine mascot was manufactured at the Chinese factory which is alleged to be a "sweatshop," exploiting young workers earning R23 a day, says Global Brands Group (GBG), Fifa's worldwide master licensee.

In the wake of allegations against the manufacturer, Intertek, the world's largest independent testing, inspection and certification organisation is being called in to conduct "an immediate ethical and social compliance audit and inspection" of the factory.

Paul Zacks, the general manager of GBG South Africa, said it was taking a lead role in the review of the manufacturer and was treating it as "a matter of priority" .

He stressed that the Chinese manufacturer in question did not produce any of the other Zakumi soft toys, merchandise or products that were available in South Africa.

GBG "has a number of other manufacturers that handle these products and they are in no way linked to the same factory or industrial plant."

The awarding of the contract to a Chinese manufacturer has caused outrage, with Cosatu threatening to boycott the sale of the mascots and even threatening to stop any Fifa or World Cup-related event.

According to the Sunday Times, the mascots were manufactured by the Shanghai Fashion Plastic Products & Gifts, with about 100 000 of them destined for Ascendo Industrial, a factory and distributor in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal.

The factory is owned by ANC MP Shiaan-Bin Huang and his wife Su-Luan.

Huang told the paper that the subcontract had been approved by Fifa and GBG.

Rich Mkhondo, the chief communications officer for the World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, said Fifa had appointed GBG as the exclusive master licensee for merchandise and that Fifa was not involved in the subsequent awarding of contracts "and has no influence on this process".

Mkhondo said: "Fifa is very cautious of ethical business practices and takes the conditions of employment very seriously.

"As part of the contract with GBG, all products have to be produced child-labour free and prison-labour free.

"GBG and all sub-licensees have signed the code of conduct of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) as well as the declaration of fundamental principles and rights at work adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)," he said.

Fifa would investigate the allegations and "take the necessary measures if needed," Mkhondo said.

Zacks's statement said "no specific issues" had previously been raised with GBG about the factory in question.

"From the outset, GBG has sought to deal with 'the best of the best' manufacturers and distributors worldwide to help produce and sell officially licensed products" for the World Cup", the statement said.

"As often as possible, first choice of product is South Africa. However, in cases where this is impossible, international manufacturing partners are considered."

"As a result of GBG's manufacturing and distribution of licence agreements and letters of undertaking from third party manufacturers, licensees and their respective third party manufacturers had committed to comply with the WFSGI and the declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work adopted by the ILO."

"These codes include the legal compliance of national laws and international working condition standards, the non-use of forced labour, non discrimination, freedom of association, prevailing industry wages, standard working hours, "no child labour and safe and hygienic working conditions for all", Zacks's statement said.