Nike, one of the major Multinational Corporations (MNC), has factories set up all over the
world. Their contractors produce a variety of goods such as footwear, apparel, and a
ccessories. However, the contractors use a variety of inhumane practices towards its
employees. These actions make Nike the culprit of exploitation and unfair labor practices.
Their laborers, consists of employees of third world countries, particularly children and middle
aged persons, whom get little pay, work long 12 hour shifts, with no breaks, and no chance for
advancement in the company.
Nike�s primary role is to make profit any way necessary, which is the goal of all major
corporations in the world. Nike does not explicitly state that the use of child labor is valid. On
the other hand, they don�t say that it is not valid either. Thus, the use of cheap labor allows for
Nike to make massive profits; allowing their contractors to see a good monetary gain as well.
Nike has a keen business sense. They view labor as a way of more output for less input. With
that hardcore business strategy, they have become one of the largest corporations in the world.
Ever so large, it is driven by unlawful business practices, and the exploitation of countries with
Third World status:
Cheap labor also means an even cheaper environment. Nike does not take precaution to ensure
safe working conditions. Their factories do not supply the safety conditions needed to perform
efficiently. Child laborers are often faced with the duty to work fast yet try and come out alive
each day. Very extraneous working conditions such as heated environments, exposed
machinery and deadly equipment challenge these young workers everyday.Take for example,
Iqbal Masih , he was sold into slavery when he was only four years old. His Pakistani parents,
desperate for money, sold their young son for less than $16. For six years he was shackled to
a loom carpet-weaving tying tiny knots 10 hours a day.
The Ernest and Young Report discussed situations concerning workers with skin or breathing
problems and who they had not been transferred to departments free of chemical exposure and
that more than half the workers who dealt with dangerous chemicals did not wear protective
masks or gloves. Nike�s uncompassionate attitude towards its young factory workers tells us
they do not care about workers� health conditions rather only the productivity they can put out.
Nike�s impact on the global economy has created speculation on its use of cheap labor. Nike�s
business practices have been narrowed to long dreadful hours for its child laborers, little or no
food, unsanitary working conditions, and very low wages. Its exploitation has been deemed as
paid slavery. The global economy, primarily the United States has denounced Nike�s business
practices and its role in child labor exploitation.