U.S. labor advocacy group denounces Nike's practices
U.S. labor advocacy group denounces Nike's practices
CHICAGO (UPI): A U.S. labor advocacy group said yesterday it plans to push ahead with a campaign against athletic apparel giant Nike, which it claims employs grossly underpaid Indonesian children to make its shoes.
Made in the USA, a Washington D.C. advocacy group that says it represents the interests of all American workers, hopes to persuade basketball star and Nike spokesman Michael Jordan to intercede with the company.
Jordan, who has gained global fame at least partially because of his association with Nike, is currently participating in the NBA Finals with the Chicago Bulls. He has not commented on the matter.
Made in the USA initiated its campaign in 1992 with letters to Jordan and Nike Chairman Phillip Knight, requesting that the company move its plants back to American shores. The issue made brief headlines but disappeared until now.
Made in the USA Chairman Joel Joseph denied he was attempting to take advantage of the media hype surrounding the Nba Finals and said the matter resurfaced when a reporter called him.
"We're just asking them to make their top-of-the-line shoes here," Joseph said. "Their response was that if they made their shoes in the United States they would have to raise their prices."
Many of Nike's shoes go for more than US$100 a pair, including the popular Air Jordans. Jospeh said Nike's production costs are around US$5 a pair.
"We think there's a little room in there for" movement, he said.
Nike released a statement yesterday saying the allegations were "completely false and irresponsible," and noted that Air Jordans are made in Taiwan, not Indonesia.
"One has to question the credibility of an individual whose organization is largely financed by labor unions opposed to free trade with developing nations," said Nike spokeswoman Donna Gibbs.
Nike also disputed Joseph's claim that its Asian workers make 14 cents an hour. The company earlier insisted the employees who produce Air Jordans make about 45 cents an hour, and said yesterday all of its foreign workers make well above national minimum wages.
Nike subcontractors around the world must sign a Memorandum of Understanding that "strictly prohibits child labor, and certifies compliance with applicable government regulations regarding minimum wage, (and) overtime," the Nike statement read.
The Beavertown, Oregon-based company said it enforces the memorandum with daily observation by staff members.
"The average line-worker's wage in Asian subcontracted facilities is double the government-mandated minimum," Nike said.
But Joseph insisted Nike's practices are notorious, even for an industry known for shipping jobs overseas to save labor costs.
"They all do it to some extent (but) Nike is the biggest and the worst offender," he said. "Wherever we pull up that rug and see child welfare, Nike is there."
Citing talk-show host and entertainer Kathie Lee Gifford's recent stand on the issue after she discovered her line of clothing was made by Latin American children, Joseph said he thinks Jordan could influence the debate.
"We want Michael Jordan to use his leverage with Nike," he said. "Maybe other celebrities could not have that leverage, but Michael (could)."
Jordan could at least convince Nike to make Air Jordans here, Joseph added.
He said Made in the USA plans to capitalize on this exposure to keep the issue in the public eye.
"We're going to push it. It seems we touched a nerve," he said.