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Victory for Indonesian Workers against Adidas!
After an international campaign lasting more than 2 years Adidas have finally paid ‘a substantial sum’ to the 2,700 garment workers at the PT Kizone factory in Indonesia. These workers began their campaign when Adidas refused to pay $1.8 million of legally mandated redundancy pay, organising demonstrations and calling for international solidarity in their struggle.
Adidas had previously refused to offer the workers any of the money which they were owed. Instead offering ‘food vouchers’ a gesture which the workers rejected and called ‘an insult to all of us’. The resolve of the workers in fighting for what was owed to them was central to the success of the campaign.
The campaign for justice for the workers has been continuously escalating. Supported by People & Planet this campaign has involved two international days of action organised with the Claen Clothes Campaign, Labour Behind the Label, War on Want and United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) in the U.S with demonstrations at dozens of stores in both countries. In the U.S where many universities hold large licensing contracts with Adidas, 14 universities cut their contracts over the violation of workers’ rights, costing the brand millions of dollars.
At Newcastle University where Adidas have recently signed a sponsorship deal with the university, open day events have been used to highlight the University’s collaboration with Adidas, whilst the brand continued to refuse to pay the Indonesian workers.
In February Adidas workers from 8 countries united to form the ‘International Union League for Brand Responsibility’ a movement which united Adidas workers from around the world to struggle against worker rights violations. In addition they released a declaration which called for campaigning groups to back their campaign against labour violations.
It is clear that united workers, students and campaigning groups can wield significant power over the brands which seek to exploit cheap labour. Student campaigner Rachel Cavet said ‘this settlement demonstrates that when we act in solidarity with garment workers around the world we can win very real victories’. This news is further evidence that a determined and united campaign led by the workers can result in substantial results for those on the other end of our supply chains.
We congratulate the workers of PT Kizone for their victory; this has clearly demonstrated that when we are united we can win against even the biggest of brands.
By Matthew Franklin
Birmingham People & Planet Group
People & Planet is the largest student network in Britain campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment.
2013-04-29 11:49:24
Source: http://blog.peopleandplanet.org/2013/04/victory-for-indonesian-workers-against-adidas/
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