Posted on 21st December 2022
Campaign group calls for end to adidas’ “wage theft” of workers
Labour Behind the Label, a campaign group that works to improve conditions and empower workers in the global garment industry, have called on World Cup sponsors adidas to “end wage theft in their supply chain”.
The group claim that adidas has “a shocking record of wage theft, labour rights violations, and harassment in their supply chain” and are calling on the German sports brand to sign a binding agreement on workers’ rights.
Adidas have drawn particular attention for the campaign as they have been official sponsors of the FIFA tournament dating back to 1970, as well as manufacturing the kits for a number of competing countries, including champions Argentina.
“Garment worker unions from across the world have come together to say enough is enough: It is time for adidas to sign a binding agreement on wages, severance, and the freedom to organise to ensure that workers in its supply chain are never again robbed of the money they’ve earned,” Labour Behind the Label said in a statement
“If adidas are willing to spend $800m sponsoring FIFA, why won’t they spend just 10 cents more per product to end wage theft in their supply chain?”
At the 2021 FSA AGM, members passed a motion to work with Labour Behind the Label to draw up an ethical procurement strategy for kit and clothing manufacture and to lobby clubs for its implementation.
Labour Behind the Label are part of the wider #PayYourWorkers campaign, organised by the multi-national organisation the Clean Clothes Campaign, which is calling on fans to question brands on their position on respecting labour rights and paying fair wages to their workers.
