There are two threads going on this and the common theme in both is that parts were stolen from Playmobil one way or another. Remember, newspapers in reporting always like to get the public's attention and so their reports pick up on something minor to the real case and make it major. Looking at the Times of Malta reports, the common link between the 2009 reports and now is that the parts were stolen and the customising element is something of a side issue.
Turning to low pay, what's low pay in one country is high pay in another and so when Geobra moved some work to Malta it was because labour costs were lower there than in Germany but this doesn't mean that Geobra's workers were paid low wages compared with the general wage level in Malta. I imagine that they were above average for the island. In addition, wages are not the only means of payment and Geobra, like many German firms also offers non-monetary rewards to its staff.
As for mindless, repetitive work, it can actually be quite nice as you just do the job and then go home. I've quite enjoyed supposedly mindless, repetitive work when I've had it in front of me. Creative work? That's tiring!
