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Workers making must-have Christmas toys are being driven to suicide , investigators say.

Undercover researchers said that during their probe three staff in China tried to kill themselves by ­throwing themselves from factories producing Barbie dolls, Nerf guns and Disney Frozen characters.

The report claims many workers have to do up to 110 hours’ overtime a month. Serious safety violations were also alleged.

The study by US-based workers’ rights group China Labour Watch looked at four factories.

(Image: Getty)

They were producing for firms including Mattel and Hasbro. Disney merchandise produced under licence for another firm was also found.

China Labour Watch said: “These brand companies continue to violate the rights of workers who manufacture their products.” The report claimed two people threw themselves from the roof of one factory.

One worker, who had been sacked for breaking rules, died.

The other was recovering in hospital.

Disney referred requests for comment to industry association the International Council of Toy Industries which said it would investigate the report’s claims.

Mattel said: “We’re devoted to ensuring that our manufacturing facilities are safe and ethical places to work.

"We reject any suggestion to the contrary.”

Hasbro was also contacted for comment.

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