A contractor making clothes for Nike has been using forced labour. Factors workers are made to live in poor conditions and are paid very little.
Nike often promote itself to be a good brand, but there is the hidden ethical issue.
Nike Sportswear are made in factories overseas’ poverty stricken companies. Seven news also claims that the company traps and lies to workers, making them sign contracts that they do not understand. And on arrival to the workplace, the workers had their passport taken a way from them and were force to work. Seven news claims that the company adopts human trafficking. Conditions are very poor. With workers having to live close to one another in a very suffocating and unhealthy manner.
The workers work six days a week for 45 Australian dollars. That’s less than the cost of a Nike t-shirt.
It is suggested that the workers are tricked into signing contracts that they do not understand, and from this are forced to work. They have no way of escaping.
Nike had issue a statement in which it states that it will investigate these claims made by channel seven.
SUMMARY OF THE SECOND NEWS REPORT
The workers work six days a week for 45 Australian dollars. That’s less than the cost of a Nike t-shirt.
It is suggested that the workers are tricked into signing contracts that they do not understand, and from this are forced to work. They have no way of escaping.
Nike had issue a statement in which it states that it will investigate these claims made by channel seven.
SUMMARY OF THE SECOND NEWS REPORT
Nike has moved its 100 of workers to better living houses after seven news reveal that one of its contractors is using forced labour with workers having their passports taken from them. Human rights activists are going to take legal action. After an investigation, Nike has stated that the working conditions of the workers were unacceptable and promised to move hundreds of workers out of crowded living spaces. The Employees want their passport back. Australian Union say that workers are treated like slaves.
SUMMARY OF THE THIRD NEWS REPORT
Hundreds of workers have been freed from poor and slavery working conditions. They have been moved to better housing which will cost Nike millions. The workers are given better conditions and privilege e.g. free flights home, apartments, refund of fees, unstricted access to passport.
Thoughts and ideas
This seven news report from 2008, shows that even though it was uncovered in the late 90s that Nike's products are made by employees who are exploited, and despite that in recent times, Nike has attempted to promote itself as being more socially responsible, it is still unethical.
With its many donations and charitiy work, a decade on from having their name first tainted, Nike has not yet done anything to stop sourcing their products from factories that adopts harsh labour.
Many of us were all left wondering; 'Isnt it about time they took responsibility and show some concern ?'
