Nike is one of the world's largest manufacturers of athletic apparel and footwear, but the company has been criticized for its unethical practices, including labor violations and human rights abuses. Nike has faced allegations of poor working conditions and exploitation of workers in its factories in countries such as China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Workers have reported long hours, low wages, and abusive treatment by factory supervisors. Additionally, the company has been accused of using child labor in some of its factories, despite its stated commitment to eliminating this practice.
Nike has faced significant criticism and allegations regarding its use of child labor in its global supply chain. In the 1990s and early 2000s, reports emerged of children as young as 10 working in hazardous conditions in Nike factories in countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In 1996, Life Magazine published an exposé on child labor practices in Nike's factories in Pakistan, leading to a public backlash and calls for boycotts. Nike initially denied the allegations, but later admitted to using child labor and implemented measures to address the issue, such as increasing monitoring and establishing a code of conduct for its suppliers. However, reports of child labor continued to surface, and Nike has faced ongoing criticism for not doing enough to eradicate the problem. In 2016, an investigation by The Guardian found that workers in Indonesian factories producing Nike products were subjected to verbal and physical abuse, as well as forced overtime and wages below the minimum wage. The investigation also found that some workers were under 18, which violates Indonesian law. Nike has since stated that it is committed to ethical and sustainable practices and has established various programs and initiatives to address human rights and labor concerns in its supply chain.
In addition to labor violations, Nike has also faced criticism for its environmental impact. The company has been accused of contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions through its manufacturing processes and transportation of goods. Additionally, the company has been criticized for its use of toxic chemicals in its products, which can be harmful to workers and the environment.
Nike's business practices have also been called into question due to its sponsorship of professional athletes, including those who have been accused of doping or other forms of cheating. The company has also faced criticism for its labor practices related to the production of its sponsored products, such as soccer balls and jerseys.
While Nike has taken steps to address some of these issues, including implementing labor and environmental standards for its suppliers, critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure that the company's practices are ethical and sustainable. As consumers become increasingly aware of these issues, there is growing pressure on companies like Nike to be more transparent and accountable in their business practices. Human rights activists and other concerned individuals may choose to avoid purchasing Nike products in order to support more ethical and sustainable brands, "Just Do It".
References:
"Nike Admits to Mistakes Over Child Labor". BBC News, 10 May 2001, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1322415.stm.
"Nike's Labor Practices". Human Rights Watch, 1 October 2019, https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/10/01/nikes-labor-practices.
"The Sweatshop Behind the Sneaker: How Nike Exploits Cheap Labor in Vietnam". The Guardian, 9 July 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/09/sweatshop-behind-the-sneaker-nike-workers-conditions-indonesia-vietnam.
"Nike's Supply Chain: Inside the Athletic Giant's Sustainable Innovation Strategy". Supply Chain Dive, 24 August 2021, https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/nikes-supply-chain-sustainable-innovation/605056/.
"Nike: Just Do It, Unethically". Business Ethics Case Analyses, 15 March 2018, https://sites.psu.edu/busethics/2018/03/15/nike-just-do-it-unethically/.
"Behind the Swoosh: The Struggle of Indonesian Workers Making Nike Shoes". The Nation, 8 May 2013, https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/behind-swoosh-struggle-indonesian-workers-making-nike-shoes/.
"The Dark Side of Nike's Branding Success". Forbes, 18 October 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2019/10/18/the-dark-side-of-nikes-branding-success/?sh=3a3a6a003a8e.
"Nike". Clean Clothes Campaign, https://cleanclothes.org/companies/nike.
Human Rights Watch. (2021). Nike’s Abuses Continue Unchecked. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/07/nikes-abuses-continue-unchecked
CBS News. (2021). "Just do it": How Nike's slogan became a controversial call to action. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/just-do-it-nikes-slogan-becomes-a-controversial-call-to-action/
Green America. (n.d.). Nike: Unethical Practices in Sweatshops. https://www.greenamerica.org/nike-unethical-practices-sweatshops
War on Want. (2021). Nike: End exploitation now. https://waronwant.org/nike-end-exploitation-now
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. (2021). Nike. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/nike