Slavery: Just Do It
Nike Slavery
Nike clothing and shoes
Have you ever wondered where your Nike apparel comes from? Well 90%f Nike shoes and clothing is made in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Did you think about who made them? Or about the working cnditions?
Work
Most Nike apparel is made by adults. The conditions though are horrible. According to the Daily Mail, workers were kicked, slapped, and verbally abused. The factories are open for 20 hours and the people are not able to leave until the factory closes. “Nike gave “A” ratings to 4 percent of its factories in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011, compared to 6 percent in 2010. Factories with “B” grades increased to 45 percent from 33 percent.”
Money, Money, Money
Nike employees that work in Indonesia are paid 5200 Indonesian Rupiahs($2.17 in U.S Dollars.) "How can you live with [$2.17] in an expensive metropolis like Jakarta," asked Indera Nababan (of the non-profit Yakoma PGI labor advocacy organization), adding that Nike Inc. has more than a dozen subcontractors in Indonesia, one of which, PT Nikomas Gemilang, based about 100 kilometers west of Jakarta in Serang, employs child workers, he said.
According to the Huffigton Post, factories in Indonesia hired high ranked military officials to intimidate workers into giving up pay. Also according to them, only after scrutiny a Nike factory in Serang, Indonesia paid workers $1 million in overtime money. "A Nike shoe factory in Serang, Indonesia, failed to pay its workers for 600,000 hours of overtime work over two years, according to The Guardian."
Only .4% of money made by a bought shoe is given to all the workers, who are forced to work in horrible conditions.
Ways to help
There are many way to help stop slavery in Nike factories. There are many non-profit organizations that try to stop the slavery. You can also write letters to the company, start a petition, create awareness, etc.