Nike's Overtime Exploitation of Factory Workers in Indonesia

[Screech]

Nike SB is awesome, and so is Adidas Skateboarding, but Nike and Adidas' treatment of factory workers in the Third World is horrible.  We like their shoes and the creativity and money they're putting into skateboarding, but what are we supposed to do when they pull bogus stuff like this?

"A national trade union representing nearly 4,500 employees from the PT Nikomas shoe plant in Banten province said Nike had failed to pay close to 600,000 hours over a two-year period. After 11 months of negotiations, the Seattle-based company reached a $1 million settlement, said Bambang Wirahyoso, the union?s chairman."

If Nike SB or Adidas did that kind of thing to skateboarders, we wouldn't want to support them.

You can read a full description of the recent news from Indonesia here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/indonesian-nike-workers-win-1-million-for-unpaid-overtime/2012/01/12/gIQAMuaXsP_story.html

[TomTom]

Nike SB is awesome, and so is Adidas Skateboarding, but Nike and Adidas' treatment of factory workers in the Third World is horrible.  We like their shoes and the creativity and money they're putting into skateboarding, but what are we supposed to do when they pull bogus stuff like this?

"A national trade union representing nearly 4,500 employees from the PT Nikomas shoe plant in Banten province said Nike had failed to pay close to 600,000 hours over a two-year period. After 11 months of negotiations, the Seattle-based company reached a $1 million settlement, said Bambang Wirahyoso, the union?s chairman."

If Nike SB or Adidas did that kind of thing to skateboarders, we wouldn't want to support them.

You can read a full description of the recent news from Indonesia here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/indonesian-nike-workers-win-1-million-for-unpaid-overtime/2012/01/12/gIQAMuaXsP_story.html

It is kinda bias to limit it to skateboard gear.
The problem of unfair labor laws (or nonexistend ones) exists all over asia, africa and so on.

Almost everything we buy needs to be examined.
But yeah boycotting a firm for exploitation is a good start.

[ChronicBluntSlider]

600,000 hours= 1 million dollars?  Thats like what Nike pays LeBron in a week.  I would never purchase their garbage no matter the talent of skateboarders who receive checks from them.

[rs312]

I don't think that any of the other companies producing skate shoes is doing it differently.

They all produce in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and many other countries.

To produce in the US or in Europe, get's always the excuse to high production costs.

Or the margins would be way smaller.

[apad88]

But Janoskis are so great!

[DaSk8D00D]

and yall think Nike is the only company that does this shit? nigga yo johnson & johnson lotion bottle was probably made in the same factory. not saying that its right but if you live in the US a large majority of your typical household items are made in sweatshops. alot of other skate companies be on the same shit. where you think they make those mall-store etnies?

[finknoos]

so this is breaking news?

I thought Nike expoliting people was prety common knowledge

[noileum]

while it's admirable for those that actually boycott these things, to single nike out is pretty harsh.

They're possibly one of the biggest exploiters out there, but as has been said.  A large percentage of all the stuff the majority of the US\Europe buys\consumes has had some kind of exploitation involved.  Moreso in the fashion/sports/clothing world

At the end of the day fuck it, realistically it's not going to change.   I understand boycotting them for being a non-skate brand more than for their business practices

[professional]

If Nike SB or Adidas did that kind of thing to skateboarders, we wouldn't want to support them.

After reading and seeing first hand what Nike (SB) is doing with their pro riders' shoes by putting them in malls, taking away royalties, etc. etc. I'm pretty over supporting the corporate giants. When I was younger, none of this mattered to me but now as we're seeing the real skate companies consolidate themselves or go straight out of business, I'm more conscious as to who's company I'm supporting.

I thought Birdo was just a crackpot and really bitter about something between him and Nike but everything he's said would happen is happening now with skate shops. I won't do it!

[Eschaton]

and yall think Nike is the only company that does this shit? nigga yo johnson & johnson lotion bottle was probably made in the same factory. not saying that its right but if you live in the US a large majority of your typical household items are made in sweatshops. alot of other skate companies be on the same shit. where you think they make those mall-store etnies?

This is the truth

[BlueBlurSpeedsBy]

I've never bought a pair of nikes, and I don't plan on it.

[ChronicBluntSlider]

and yall think Nike is the only company that does this shit? nigga yo johnson & johnson lotion bottle was probably made in the same factory. not saying that its right but if you live in the US a large majority of your typical household items are made in sweatshops. alot of other skate companies be on the same shit. where you think they make those mall-store etnies?

Crime will always exist, does that mean it should not try to be stopped?  Although it might not end unfair labor practices in the world, doesn't mean you should be apathetic/condescending towards the idea of conscience consumerism.

[oyolar]

I've never bought a pair of nikes, and I don't plan on it.

But this news makes me want to buy some.

[Vianouz]

Fuck Nike, fuck money. I will never buy their shit

[Soty2020]

people in africa have aids?

[ticklefingers]

FUCK NIKE, I wear Vans. Handmade by a little old man in Venice Beach.

[chillout]

and yall think Nike is the only company that does this shit? nigga yo johnson & johnson lotion bottle was probably made in the same factory. not saying that its right but if you live in the US a large majority of your typical household items are made in sweatshops. alot of other skate companies be on the same shit. where you think they make those mall-store etnies?

This is the truth

this shit always blows my mind. its like people dont understand that all shoes are made in poor working conditions for low wages. the big guys like nike and adidas just get the whistle blown on them more because they are such a big company while soletech, dc, and everyone else is doing the exact same shit

[AssBandit]

HOW MANY OF YOU WANT TO BOYCOTT APPLE PRODUCTS TOO?


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/workers-threaten-mass-suicide-at-company-that-supplies-apple-6288160.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382396/Workers-Chinese-Apple-factories-forced-sign-pledges-commit-suicide.html

[TheDonutFather]

Yeeeea if you think that's bad, never buy furniture with particle board i.e. Walmart and ikea.

North Korea sends forty+ year old doodes against their will to the middle of nowhere in Russia where they chop down whatever the fuck shitty trees make particle board. They live in beyond inhabitable shanties for and work for free for up to a decade.

Be very grateful that you were born in a place where you can go online and talk about how much Berra annoys you and blab about who's a real 'skater' in contrast to otherwise.

http://www.vice.com/vice-news/north-korean-labor-camps-part-1

[Joe Pesci]

personally i dont buy nike shit... but i understand why some people might just based on the durability and how well their shoes skate. which is also why i dont understand why companies like lakai dont just make a product that isnt shit quality

[chillout]

personally i dont buy nike shit... but i understand why some people might just based on the durability and how well their shoes skate. which is also why i dont understand why companies like lakai dont just make a product that isnt shit quality

exactly. i wish i could support companies like lakai. their quality just doesnt even come close

[frank gerwer's nose]

personally i dont buy nike shit... but i understand why some people might just based on the durability and how well their shoes skate. which is also why i dont understand why companies like lakai dont just make a product that isnt shit quality

exactly. i wish i could support companies like lakai. their quality just doesnt even come close

Smaller companies like Lakai don't have the funds or access to technologies like Nike or Adidas.

Also, have you tried a recent cupsole model that Lakai has done? Put your money where your mouth is, because they're the fucking truth.

[chillout]

personally i dont buy nike shit... but i understand why some people might just based on the durability and how well their shoes skate. which is also why i dont understand why companies like lakai dont just make a product that isnt shit quality

exactly. i wish i could support companies like lakai. their quality just doesnt even come close

Smaller companies like Lakai don't have the funds or access to technologies like Nike or Adidas.

Also, have you tried a recent cupsole model that Lakai has done? Put your money where your mouth is, because they're the fucking truth.

i've been meaning to try the guy. i havent skated cupsoles in awhile. i used to buy nothing but lakai but it wasnt really working out. theyd last like 3 weeks tops

[BraveUlysses]

and yall think Nike is the only company that does this shit? nigga yo johnson & johnson lotion bottle was probably made in the same factory. not saying that its right but if you live in the US a large majority of your typical household items are made in sweatshops. alot of other skate companies be on the same shit. where you think they make those mall-store etnies?

Hahaha the ebonics in your posts always make me laugh.

[dude]

damn you, stefan janoski for making such a sick shoe that i had to buy it despite nike's horrible treatment of foreign workers! damn you!!!

[johnnymousedoom]

I am just going to boycott everything, but the things i grow. Praise Jah

[Front Crooks]

Is Lakai's quality really that bad?  I had some Pico's not long ago and they seemed decent/average.  I buy Nike's, but I'd rather buy Vans.  I just hate how old looking/feeling Vans are just after a week of wearing them, not even skating in them. 

[DevMo!]

people in africa have aids

[Skate Edge]

$1,000,000 divided by 600,000 hours = $1.67 an hour OVERTIME.

Alright, Nike.  Way to go.  Dicks. 

[bakedRice]

its easy to forget this shit when its happening a half a world away, but this really puts a damper on my recent love of corporate shoes and their durability and boardfeel. fucking hate the economic system we have, the rich are fucking pricks, including all of us.