How Ethical is Nike?

HOW ETHICAL IS NIKE?

Though it seems in this day and scenario  each and every man and his dog owns a pair of Nike not so long ago the Nike image was synonymous with sweatshops and unethical manufacturing. So how does this brand rate today when it comes to its treatment of people planet and animals?

In 1991, activist Jeff Balling-er published a report showing the low income and poor working conditions in Nike’s Indonesian factories. Soon afterward the brand became the subject of an threatening . Nike was initially slow to respond but under increasing pressure it ultimately made some changes by improving its supervise efforts, raising the minimum age of labors and increasing factory audits.

The brand has since earned plaudits far and wide for its efforts. A few years ago, Nike has successfully changes its tarnished image to become a “recognized sustainability leader,” with Morgan Stanley ranking Nike “the most sustainable apparel and footwear company in North America for environmental and social performance, including its labor record.”

But is this actually the case?

A pace in reverse

Though Nike has successfully gain its reputation and has become the top-selling active foot wear brand in the world, many of its practices are still in problematic condition.

In 2017, Nike took a big step backwards, as international labor right form reported that the company had change its back commitment to the Worker Rights Consortium which effectively blocks labor rights experts from independently watching Nike’s supplier factories. But last year, Nike was given a score of 57 out of 100 in Fashion Revolution’s.

Habitat collision

Though Nike has made a few positive changes to its environmental practices and is a member of the sustainable apparel coalition, it still has a way to go before it can truthfully be called a ‘sustainable’ brand, which is why its environmental rating is ‘It’s a newly Start’. Nike uses a few Eco-friendly things including organic and recycled cotton and polyester, minimizes off-cuts in parts of its manufacturing process and has a waste and water reduction strategy in place in most of its supply chain. It has also made a public commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in its operations by 100% by 2025.

However Nike has not committed to eliminating unsafe chemicals from its supply chain. These chemicals are a big problem for labors who are exposed to them and even those people who wear that product. Nike’s use of risky chemicals has also been blame by Greenpeace, who have voiced concern regarding the pollution of waterways.

Labor circumstances

Nike’s labor rating is also ‘It’s a Start’. Though the brand has focused on female empowerment and inclusiveness in their recent advertisement campaigns, the women who work for Nike (whether in its factories or headquarters of Nike) are seemingly left out of this picture. 

On a good note, the company is Fair labor association workplace code of conduct certified. It also traces most of its supply chain, public lists its suppliers, audits some of its traced facilities and ensure payment of a living income in some of its supply chain.

The recent report by the Clean Cloth Camping and Collect if Etiquette shows just how far Nike has to go when it comes to living income. It shows the difference between the ever increasing amount of money paid on sponsorship's to sports stars and other marketing expenses, compared to the reduction of the share of the final price of your sports gear paid to workers in the supply chain. The report calls on Nike to commit to paying living wages across their supply chain by a specific date and other supporting action.

Animal Well-being

Nike does not use fur angora or other exotic animal hair or skin in its products which is definitely a step in the suitable right direction. However it does use leather wool and down feather without specifying sources which is problematic as the welfare of animals and labors is unknown and is not guaranteed.