Labour Behind The Label

UK national speaker tour, 6-11 June 2010

Lilis Mahmudah, from the Serikat Pekerja Nasional (Textile and Garment Trade Union),  Indonesia, will e touring the UK to speak aout life for the thousands of workers producing for adidas, Nike, Umbro and other major sportswear brands in Indonesia.

Report into conditions of football stitches in China, India, Pakistan and Thailand. Released in June 2010, this report, produced by US labour rights group ILRF, shows that little has improved for workers in this notoriously exploitative indistry. Covering 7 factories producing for some of the biggest sportswear brands including Nike, Umbro and adidas the research showed that child labour is stil being used, that most of the workers are on temprary contracts and over half were not earning the living wage.

New research into soccer ball stitching for sports giants Adidas, Umbro, and Nike has found alarming reports of illegally low pay, child labour, and temporary contracts leaving workers vulnerable. This comes just months after the Playfair 2012 Campaign launched demands to Olympic sportswear suppliers Adidas, Nike and Pentland to eliminate short- term contracts in their supply chains and pay workers a living wage.

As the frenzy grows over the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa, there is a part of the World Cup that won’t be broadcast on TV.

Tell Adidas to keep its promises to Indonesian workers

If Adidas can spend millions of euros sponsoring individual athletes and sporting events, surely it should value the women and men who worked for years producing its products in Asia?

Over three years ago adidas made a promise to workers who lost their jobs when a large supplier, PT Spotec closed down. They told them that they would be givien hiring priority in other local adidas suppliers. Many workers are still without jobs.

Adidas also made a commitment to support union leaders who were dismissed by another adidas supplier, Panarub, in contravention of their human rights. However several of these workers have applied up to nine times for work, only to be rejected without any legitimate reason.

These workers had made adidas shoes for up to 8 years before losing their jobs. They were also active in their former workplace unions. They are now concerned that their past union participation is resulting in unfair treatment as they apply for work at other Adidas supplier factories.

Ask Adidas to keep its promises and ensure that these former union leaders are are given a fair opportunity to gain work.

Suparjo made Adidas shoes for 8 years before losing his job for his participation in a strike asking for better wages.  Here he tells his story about why he decided to take a stand.