How pro-active should a big name brand be to ensure that their products are not made using unfair labour and abuse? A big question most brands would like swept under the proverbial carpet.
A Nike factory has agreed to pay $1m in unpaid overtime to Indonesian workers in a move that could force other suppliers of multinational companies to follow suit. Maybe there’s also an onus on us consumers to put our foot down and boycott brands that are abusing the working class?
“There are more than 100,000 factory workers in Serang, and those who are most prone to overwork are labourers for branded merchandise, since they have to achieve certain targets,” said Bambang Wirahyoso, national chairman of the trade union.
Nike said it “commends the factory on their action plan and efforts to correct inadequacies in current policies designed to protect the rights of workers. Nike will continue to monitor and support their efforts to remediate the situation.” Nice! but shouldn’t Nike have ensured they placed production with a fair-labour factory before the law suit? Where was Nike’s due-diligence?
Reebok International has filed a lawsuit against Nike Inc. for allegedly copying its patented technology in sneakers now on store shelves. Reebok received a patent in January for collapsible or “flexible sole†technology allowing shoes to be folded into a more compact form for packaging or to save space while travelling. The athletic footwear and apparel company claims that 11 Nike shoes marketed under various “Free†product names incorporate that technology and therefore infringe on its patent, according to documents filed yesterday in federal district court in Tyler, Texas.
Nike unveiled the new Ronaldinho signature collection to celebrate one of the best and most inspiring football players of all time. This collection is the result of a long-term collaboration between Nike and Ronaldinho which honours the player on and off the football pitch. Working with Ronaldinho to gain insights into his life, personality and the way he plays his game, Nike developed products to the player’s specifications. The collection includes a new football boot – the Tiempo Ronaldinho, signature apparel for both on and off the pitch and new equipment. 
As the World Cup approaches football frenzy is starting to boil and fans from around the world are starting to sizzle with excitement. To cater for the growing demand for a slice of the beautiful game companies around the world are offering World Cup merchandise including the extremely rare Paul Smith World Cup football, wallet and Cufflinks.