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Crime / Brand Names
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2002-12-25 23:51:38-05
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Nike, Levi's, Adidas, Reebok... profit from unpaid workers in Asia
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Dangerous factory conditions, unpaid workers. Is Corporate Social Responsibility just a buzzword to calm western consumers?
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How would you feel if I offered you a nice Adidas shirt that I had bought myself - but from a man I knew had stolen it? Would I be regarded as honest by you? Would you still buy the shirt? I hope not. But in fact the Nike, Levi Strauss, Adidas, and Reebok goods under your Christmas tree may easily be equally "hot" items. OK, the poor fellow who had something stolen from him is not your good fellow citizen. They are only dark-skinned people in a country far away. Where people already, by the way, already work for a salary that is just enough for getting by. Where factory conditions are illegal, even according to local laws. Where their livelihood may be taken away from them from one day to another without warning and compensation. There's no social security. People still die from diseases that 20 US$ (or the price of one US-sold Nike T-shirt) would cure. And in this particular case their due salary not paid. - - - If you should happen to pass by the Ministry of Labor in Bangkok you will find approx. 300 people staying at the ground. Facilities could be worse, they have roof over their head. But how about the people - family and children far away - depending on them?
They are part of a workforce of about 800 people who once worked at the "Bed and Baht Prestige Company". 10th October 2002 they came to work. The door was shut. On a meeting promises were made that work would resume the 21st and owed wages would be paid. Apart from gaining time for the factory owners no other effect came from this promise. Doors remained shut and the owners disappeared. These workers people are a very direct part of the salaries and profits of the leaders in western multinational companies. Thus the concept CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility - has been established. It surely helps the consumer who would like to feel like a socially responsible citizen. So how about praxis? What exactly is Nike, Levi Strauss, Adidas, and Reebok doing in a particular case like this? I am sure that the only reason why the CEOs haven't already jumped to help - or even made a single statement - is that they haven't heard about it yet. Somebody in the CSR-department must have been sleeping. Of course, they will make sure that the petty amount (US$ 400,000) is given to the 800 workers. Now they are at it you might compensate them a little also as they have lost more than that. They will also put pressure on the Thai government to catch Chaiyapat Phothikamjorn and Uayporn Songpornprasert and let the message sound loud and clear: "[Nike, Adidas...] will not buy products from countries where they in effect turn out to be stolen. Get your workers protection scheme in order - also in praxis - or lose our business." Am I dreaming? Maybe not. I, for one, am a consumer. I have bought items of the all the above brand names dozens of times. But until these companies has shown that "CSR" is more than words: absolutely not again. It would be indefensible and immoral as they in effect may be stolen from people who has so much less than myself. I will not forget to tell friends and family about the possible origin of the products they may be wearing. Wake up, CEO, even if you were only elected to maximize profits. These people put a lot of money into our western pockets. Are you quite sure it would not be a very good investment to put a little more back than you do? And do serious work to ensure that cases like this are not repeated? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.
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