Anita Chan, a sociologist at Australian National University, said working conditions at four factories cited in the report were common in China.
"All these factories tend to be like that; nothing unusual at all," said Chan, who studies Chinese labor practices. "It's a matter of degree. Because of the Olympics, maybe this will become some sort of an issue."
Chan said the government ordered minimum wage in southern China, where the four factories are located, was 700 yuan (US$90) per month. She said child labor was becoming more common because demand for young female employees who make up the bulk of workers in clothing plants was outstripping supply.
The report saved some of its sharpest criticism for the IOC, accusing the Olympics body of looking the other way on labor standards.
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