New research released by International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) found workers stitching soccer balls in Pakistan, India, China and Thailand continue to experience alarming labour rights violations.
In a survey of 7 soccerball sewing centres in Pakistan supplying to brands including Adidas, Umbro, and Nike, over 75% of workers were found to be on temporary contracts without benefits or social security. Child labour was still prevalent, and over half of the 200 workers interviewed were found to be earning under minimum wage. Gender discrimination was also found to be a major issue, where female home-based workers were being paid the least and faced the constant thread of losing their jobs due to pregnancy.
Yalda, a Pakistani soccer ball worker was interviewed. She stitches five balls per day at a piece rate of 40 PKR, and by working six days per week she can earn approximately 5000 to 5500 PKR (US$61-68) monthly. However, her income is not enough to cover basic household expenditure. Survival is difficult and education is a luxury. Among her four children, two boys and two twin girls, she is only able to pay for one boy’s tuition fee.
Download the report
The report provides yet more evidence that low wages and other labour rights violations are still the norm and not the exception in the sportswear and merchandise industry.
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