Nike's Code of Conduct

Nike and your factory have a code of conduct which is posted in the factory. This Code assures you will be treated fairly. It provides for:

-- a safe and healthy workplace, free from harassment or abuse;
-- fair and full compensation, including full benefits;
-- recognition of freedom of association and collective bargaining;
-- pay and promotion based solely on your ability to do your job;
-- safe limits on total hours or consecutive hours that you can be required
to work;

For more information, ask your manager or worker representative.

 Back side: 
-- Do not share drinking water
-- Wash your hands after using the toilet
-- Wash your hands before eating
-- Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment
-- Know the best route to the emergency exits

While the cards will no doubt raise awareness amongst workers that a code exists, there are a number of strong concerns:

- In the area of wages they have carefully avoided giving workers specific information, on the basis of which they could make a clear complaint. Nike's code commits them to paying at least the legal minimum wage, the cards should say this and Nike should ensure that accurate information about the current level of legal minimum wages are posted in each factory.

- Similarly, the reference to wages on the cards studiously avoids the reference to a maximum 60 hour week (exceptional business circumstances permitting) in Nike's code. This should be clearly indicated on the card.

- In regard to collective bargaining, we need to get more information about what the cards say specifically in each language, but it is important that this section conveys to workers that they are allowed to form an independent union which can negotiate with management on their behalf.

- The cards do not give workers a safe means of passing information to Nike if these standards are not met. It would be a little better if there was a line telling workers that they can pass information on to Ernst and Young Auditors when they visit (or even Nike staff) and that they will be guaranteed confidentiality and that Nike will act to rectify the problem. Of course it would be far better if a truly independent monitoring system were in place. The code does suggest seeking more information from "worker representatives", but makes no mention of being able to make confidential complaints to them which will be acted on. Presumably these worker's representatives are part of the "worker management groups" which Nike has set up in several factories. We have written to Nike asking for more information about the 'worker-management groups', but as usual they have only sent us form letters in reply which make absolutely no mention of the specific question we asked. Does anyone else have information about these groups?

Without clear definitions of what the code promises, without an anonymous means of reporting violations of the code, without guarantees that they will not be punished for making such reports, and no promise that such complaints will not be acted on, it is difficult to see how workers could regard the cards with anything but cynicism.

Tim Connor
Coordinator,
Community Aid Abroad's Nike Watch Campaign

Community Aid Abroad   
GPO BOX 1000, Sydney 1043, AUSTRALIA
Phone: 61 2 9264 1392	Fax: 61 2 9264 1476
Nike Watch Site - 
http://www.caa.org.au/campaigns/nike/

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