JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – South African trade unions  have threatened to disrupt the World Cup over allegations being  investigated by FIFA that a mascot for the soccer spectacular is  being manufactured in a Chinese sweatshop.

Global Brand Group (GBG), the firm that manages branding for  soccer’s governing body, said in a statement it had noted a  British media report about a Chinese factory that makes a  figurine of Zakumi, the tournament’s green-haired leopard  mascot.

“GBG has taken appropriate steps to contract Intertek, the  world’s largest independent testing, inspection and  certification organisation, to conduct an immediate ethical and  social compliance audit and inspection of this facility,” the  statement said.

It said no issues had been raised regarding the company  before, but added the manufacturer did not produce any of the  other Zakumi toys, merchandise or products.

The manufacture of the mascot and other related toys in  China and the accusations of exploitation have angered trade  unions in South Africa, where official unemployment stands at  nearly 25 percent.

Britain’s News of the World reported in January that the  factory paid its workers “pitiful” wages and forced them to work  in squalid conditions.