Eastern Michigan University asked to sever ties with Adidas following alleged worker violations
Eastern Michigan University asked to sever ties with Adidas following alleged worker violations.
Associated Press
An Eastern Michigan University student organization, Students for an Ethical and Participatory Education, is urging the university to consider severing its contract with Adidas due to allegations of workers rights violations, the Eastern Echo reported.
Two workers from a closed-down factory in Indonesia visited the school Wednesday and said Adidas has repeatedly refused to recognize their rights and pay severance pay.
The university has sent a letter to Adidas inquiring about its practices and expects to hear a response by the end of the month, according to the Echo. EMU’s contract with Adidas began in June 2010 and is valid until May 2015.
This isn't the first time a local university has looked into the allegations.
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman complained to Adidas in October and urged the company to ensure that its former workers received severance pay after the contractor, P.T. Kizone, closed in 2011. More than 2,700 individuals did not receive severance payments. U-M has a $60 million sports apparel contract with Adidas.
Comments
Frustrated in A2
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
EMU and um should both switch to Heelys, that way they can roll around on the basketball floor!
walker101
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:10 p.m.
This being the case then maybe they should stop selling all apparel merchandise, I guess Adidas is not paying enough on licenseing rights to EM, now they'll just support the other sweat shops throughout the world for higher profits. The manufactures from the US are minimal and less profitable who are they kidding.
Angry Moderate
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:01 a.m.
What % of recent EMU grads have jobs that offer "severance pay"?
GoNavy
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:47 a.m.
So are you saying that Adidas workers don't get President's Day off?
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:36 a.m.
Certain New Balance athletic shoes are still proudly made in the USA. I think they are the only US athletic shoe manufacturer. And you know what? They don't cost any more than their competitors' "sweat shop" shoes.
1bigbud
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.
You don't want OUR money Ok
beardown
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
If they aren't going with a shoe company that uses sweat shop labor, then they aren't going to be wearing shoes.