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Nike Workers In Indonesia Protest Production Cutbacks
JAKARTA,
Aug. 20 2002 (AP)--Banging cans and waving anti-Nike banners,
about 4,000 workers staged a peaceful protest Tuesday in the Indonesian
capital over the footwear company's plans to cut back production.
Angry workers in recent weeks have staged a serious of protests
over plans by Nike Inc. (NKE) and Reebok International Ltd. (RBK)
to terminate contracts with local producers. One such protest
featured the burning of a giant Reebok shoe.
Workers at Nike-contracted factories expect the cutback could
cost 7,000 jobs
while those making Reebok products fear 5,400 workers will be
laid off.
Protesters clogged traffic Tuesday as they marched through central
Jakarta to the U.S. Embassy. Carrying banners, they demanded Nike
compensate laid-off workers.
They
said Nike's local contractor - PT Doson Indonesia - has offered
workers compensation from $66 to $132.
"Nike has no social responsibility," said Rustam Aksam,
president of the Indonesian Textile, Garment and Leather Worker's
Union. "They are just exploiting the workers, getting their
profit and then leaving."
Nike confirmed it will terminate a contract with Doson Indonesia
in November. But the company said it will continue to work with
47 other factories that employ 123,000 workers.
It has offered Doson workers continued medical care, loans and
training. But it has called on Doson Indonesia to provide other
compensation.
"We understand the concerns of Doson Indonesia workers and
we have emphasized to the management of Doson Indonesia our expectation
that they meet all their obligations to the employees in the event
that layoffs occur," said Jeff DuMont, general manager of
Nike Inc. Indonesia.
Many foreign manufacturers have moved their operations to Vietnam
and China, where productivity is higher and wages are lower.
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