How would you feel if you knew that Nike factory workers in Indonesia are payed $1.60 a day for a 40 hour workweek? People who work in some of our favorite company’s factories are being mistreated everyday. One example of people being mistreated in Nike factories are the low wages. Another example is that workers are being abused by other workers and owners. Finally, people who work in Nike factories have unbelievably dangerous working conditions.
Low wages is a major problem in Nike factories. In the article NIKE CHALLENGES DOONESBURY STRIP, it shows examples of low wages in Nike factories. The article says “The strip that ran in the last week of May showed a worker saying ''I cannot even afford to eat'' on a wage of $1.60 a day.” (NIKE CHALLENGES DOONESBURY STRIP 1). The article demonstrates that workers can barley survive with that little money. In the article Did Nike Say to `Just Do It’ – Brutally?, it shows an example of low wages in Nike factories. The article says “The 22-year-old said she and her fellow workers were paid 60 cents an hour to sit on hard, backless benches in hot, dust-filled rooms and were forbidden to use the bathroom more than once during a 12-hour shift.” (Selinger 1). This shows that the workers were payed very little while sitting in very uncomfortable seats and having to follow very strict rules. In the article Ex-worker accuses Nike of poor factory conditions, it shows an example of low wages in Nike factories. The article says “Ms. Sukaesih, speaking with the aid of an interpreter, said she was paid $1.20 a day for a 40-hour workweek in Indonesia.” (Bowers 1). This shows that the wages and hours in the factories are unbelievably bad. Low wages are a major problem in Nike factories.
Worker abuse is a major problem in Nike factories. In the article STUDY FINDS ABUSE IN NIKE FACTORIES, it demonstrates worker abuse in Nike factories. The article says 'Workers reported that harsh words or verbal abuse are common in their factory environment and considered a normal part of these relationships,' according to the study, pegging the frequency of verbal abuse being observed at 56.8 percent.” (Ramey 1) This quote shows that verbal abuse is used constantly in Nike factories. In the article Report: Workers sexually abused in Nike factories, it demonstrates worker abuse in Nike factories. The article says “Nearly 8 percent of workers reported receiving unwanted sexual comments and nearly 2.5 percent said they have received unwanted sexual touching, the report said.” (Report: Workers sexually abused in Nike factories 1). This quote shows that sexual abuse has been shown numerous of times in Nike factories but much less than verbal abuse. In the article Report: Workers sexually abused in Nike factories, it demonstrates worker abuse in Nike factories. The article says “Global Alliance said that workers' reports of physical abuse from a line supervisor or manager, such as throwing objects, hitting, pushing, or shoving, ranged from a low of one percent in one factory to almost 14 percent in another.” (Report: Workers sexually abused in Nike factories 1). This quote shows that physical abuse is frequently shown in Nike factories but less than verbal abuse and more than sexual abuse. Worker abuse is a major problem in Nike factories.
Dangerous working conditions is a major problem in Nike factories. In the article STUDY FINDS ABUSE IN NIKE FACTORIES, it demonstrates dangerous working conditions. The article says “'If the workers collapse, they are asked to take rest at the factory and asked to continue working when they wake up,' the study said.” (Ramey 1). The quote shows that the conditions are so bad that workers could have very bad health risks and the owners don’t care. All the owners care about is that they make enough clothing for the day. In the article COLA Letter Advocates for Regulation of Nike Factory Conditions, it demonstrates dangerous working conditions. The article says “In 2015, Nike denied the Worker Rights Consortium -- an independent labor watchdog -- access to its factory in Hansae, Vietnam, which produces university logo goods, according to COLA's letter to administrators. This denial of access was the result of a worker walkout over labor abuses and poor working conditions -- including pregnant women fainting due to extreme heat.” (COLA Letter Advocates for Regulation of Nike Factory Conditions 1). The quote shows that the conditions are so bad that workers are getting very dehydrated and the owners don’t care if someone gets hurt and needs help. In the article Did Nike Say to `Just Do It' -- Brutally?, it demonstrates dangerous working conditions. The article says “Pleites claims she and fellow workers endured brutal conditions making Nike shirts in a factory near San Salvador.” (Selinger 1). The quote shows that there are very dangerous working conditions while working in Nike factories. Dangerous working conditions is a major problem in Nike factories.
People who work in some of our favorite company’s factories are being mistreated everyday. One example of people being mistreated in Nike factories are the low wages. Another example is that workers are being abused by other workers and owners. Finally, people who work in Nike factories have unbelievably dangerous working conditions. I think we can fix this situation by stop buying their products and starting a blog about what’s really happening. Some people will listen and stop buying too. If the blog gets a lot of attention maybe the president will help to do something about it.
Works Cited
- Bowers, Paige. 'Ex-worker accuses Nike of poor factory conditions.' Washington Times [Washington, DC], 16 July 1996. Reported in Gale OneFile: News
- 'COLA Letter Advocates for Regulation of Nike Factory Conditions.' UWIRE Text. 5 Oct. 2016. Reported in Gale OneFile: News
- 'NIKE CHALLENGES DOONESBURY STRIP.' Cincinnati Post [Cincinnati, OH], 6 June 1997. Reported in Gale OneFile: News
- 'Report: Workers sexually abused in Nike factories.' UPI Archive: General News. 22 Feb. 2001. Reported in Gale OneFile: News
- Ramey, Joanna. 'STUDY FINDS ABUSE IN NIKE FACTORIES.' WWD. 23 Feb. 2001. Reported in Gale OneFile: Popular Magazines
- Selinger, Marc. 'Did Nike Say to `Just Do It' -- Brutally?' Insight on the News. 28 Dec. 1998. Reported in Gale OneFile: Popular Magazines