Nike, Inc., a sportswear giant with much of the American retail market cornered, has annual revenue of around $18 billion. Why is it, then, that they are having so much trouble paying the $2.2 million in severance owed to laid-off factory workers in Honduras?
On Jan. 19, 2009, two Nike factories, Hugger de Honduras and Vision Tex, were closed, with severance agreements between the workers’ unions and factory owners signed after the factory closures. It is 2010, still no severance has been paid, and when hounded over their exploitation of workers, Nike released a statement that they are “deeply concerned,” but cannot assume any responsibility for the actions of their “subcontractors.” Subcontractors, in this case, are proxies used by Nike to distance themselves from taking responsibility for the way their factory workers are treated.
Blaming human rights abuses on “subcontractors” is how Nike argues that it is not in violation of the code of conduct it is contractually obligated to follow. This excuse does not remove Nike from the their responsibility to the Honduran workers manufacturing their college apparel. In November 2009, Nike stated, “efforts to remediate this case are not yet concluded.” Workers are still waiting as of February 2010 for the $2.2 million owed to them. Without this, they will continue to be unable to support their families.
It is time for more pressure to be placed on Nike, and here at our University, the Rutgers chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops will be organizing an event outside of Brower Commons on College Avenue campus Thursday March 4 starting at 11 a.m. This event’s goal is to raise student awareness to Nike’s human rights abuses and to get involved in pressuring Nike to correct their breach of the code of conduct set forth in their contract with the University. There will be games, prizes and information for anyone who wants to get involved. Tell Nike to Just Pay It.
Nick West is a School of Arts and Sciences junior.
