U.S. labor advocacy group denounces Nike's practices<\/p>\n
CHICAGO (UPI): A U.S. labor advocacy group said yesterday it
\nplans to push ahead with a campaign against athletic apparel
\ngiant Nike, which it claims employs grossly underpaid Indonesian
\nchildren to make its shoes.<\/p>\n
Made in the USA, a Washington D.C. advocacy group that says it
\nrepresents the interests of all American workers, hopes to
\npersuade basketball star and Nike spokesman Michael Jordan to
\nintercede with the company.<\/p>\n
Jordan, who has gained global fame at least partially because
\nof his association with Nike, is currently participating in the
\nNBA Finals with the Chicago Bulls. He has not commented on the
\nmatter.<\/p>\n
Made in the USA initiated its campaign in 1992 with letters to
\nJordan and Nike Chairman Phillip Knight, requesting that the
\ncompany move its plants back to American shores. The issue made
\nbrief headlines but disappeared until now.<\/p>\n
Made in the USA Chairman Joel Joseph denied he was attempting
\nto take advantage of the media hype surrounding the Nba Finals
\nand said the matter resurfaced when a reporter called him.<\/p>\n
"We're just asking them to make their top-of-the-line shoes
\nhere," Joseph said. "Their response was that if they made their
\nshoes in the United States they would have to raise their
\nprices."<\/p>\n
Many of Nike's shoes go for more than US$100 a pair, including
\nthe popular Air Jordans. Jospeh said Nike's production costs are
\naround US$5 a pair.<\/p>\n
"We think there's a little room in there for" movement, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Nike released a statement yesterday saying the allegations
\nwere "completely false and irresponsible," and noted that Air
\nJordans are made in Taiwan, not Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"One has to question the credibility of an individual whose
\norganization is largely financed by labor unions opposed to free
\ntrade with developing nations," said Nike spokeswoman Donna
\nGibbs.<\/p>\n
Nike also disputed Joseph's claim that its Asian workers make
\n14 cents an hour. The company earlier insisted the employees who
\nproduce Air Jordans make about 45 cents an hour, and said
\nyesterday all of its foreign workers make well above national
\nminimum wages.<\/p>\n
Nike subcontractors around the world must sign a Memorandum of
\nUnderstanding that "strictly prohibits child labor, and certifies
\ncompliance with applicable government regulations regarding
\nminimum wage, (and) overtime," the Nike statement read.<\/p>\n
The Beavertown, Oregon-based company said it enforces the
\nmemorandum with daily observation by staff members.<\/p>\n
"The average line-worker's wage in Asian subcontracted
\nfacilities is double the government-mandated minimum," Nike said.<\/p>\n
But Joseph insisted Nike's practices are notorious, even for
\nan industry known for shipping jobs overseas to save labor costs.<\/p>\n
"They all do it to some extent (but) Nike is the biggest and
\nthe worst offender," he said. "Wherever we pull up that rug and
\nsee child welfare, Nike is there."<\/p>\n
Citing talk-show host and entertainer Kathie Lee Gifford's
\nrecent stand on the issue after she discovered her line of
\nclothing was made by Latin American children, Joseph said he
\nthinks Jordan could influence the debate.<\/p>\n
"We want Michael Jordan to use his leverage with Nike," he
\nsaid. "Maybe other celebrities could not have that leverage, but
\nMichael (could)."<\/p>\n
Jordan could at least convince Nike to make Air Jordans here,
\nJoseph added.<\/p>\n
He said Made in the USA plans to capitalize on this exposure
\nto keep the issue in the public eye.<\/p>\n
"We're going to push it. It seems we touched a nerve," he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-labor-advocacy-group-denounces-nikes-practices-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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