Desperate note from Chinese 'sweatshop slave' found in purse bought in Walmart

A note written by a Chinese 'slave' was allegedly discovered in a purse bought from a Walmart in Arizona.

The note claims that prisoners in China are working 14-hour days – as well as receiving beatings – while producing goods for US consumers.

Christel Wallace says she discovered the handwritten plea in the zip compartment of a purse she bought from a Sierra Vista Walmart two months ago.

Her daughter-in-law Laura had the note translated by three different Chinese speakers and each of them deciphered a similar, harrowing message.

"It actually stated that the person who wrote that was a prisoner in China," she told KVOA News.

"Basically what their situation was and how they work long hours, 14 hours a day. And they don't have a lot to eat," she said.

It is not the first time a note of this nature has allegedly been found in products sold by US stores. Likewise, a series of similar notes were reportedly found in UK clothing retailer Primark in 2014.

Wallace, who uploaded a photo of the note to Facebook, said she was at a loss to know how to respond to her mother-in-law's discovery.

"I don't have the means or the access to help in any way. So I think this was my way of putting in my two cents," she said. "I don't want this to be an attack on any store... That's not the answer. This is happening at all kinds of places and people just probably don't know," she said.

A full translation of the letter, provided by The Huffington Post, read: "Inmates in the Yingshan Prison in Guangxi, China are working 14 hours daily with no break/rest at noon, continue working overtime until 12 midnight, and whoever doesn't finish his work will be beaten.

"Their meals are without oil and salt. Every month, the boss pays the inmate 2000 yuan [about $290], any additional dishes will be finished by the police. If the inmates are sick and need medicine, the cost will be deducted from the salary.

"Being a prisoner in China is even worse than being a horse, cow, sheep, pig or dog in the US."

A Walmart spokesperson told News 4 Tucson: "We can't comment specifically on this note, because we have no way to verify the origin of the letter, but one of our requirements for the suppliers who supply products for sale at Walmart is all work should be voluntary as indicated in our Standards for Suppliers."