Fact check: Nike sweatshops

1. Summary of the results

Nike's sweatshop controversy represents a complex historical issue that evolved significantly over time. In the 1990s, Nike faced severe criticism after investigations revealed poor working conditions in overseas factories, including the use of child labor - notably exposed by Life magazine's story of a 12-year-old stitching soccer balls ^[1]. Initially, workers were paid around 20 cents per hour in Vietnam, where 80% of the workforce was female ^[2]. While Nike first denied responsibility, they later acknowledged these issues and implemented various reforms ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements need to be considered:

• Current Conditions: While historical viral claims about 20-cent wages and 70-80 hour weeks are outdated, current conditions still raise concerns. Workers now earn between 65-90 cents per hour and typically work 60-hour weeks ^[3].
• Industry-Wide Issue: This isn't exclusively a Nike problem - low wages and long hours are endemic to the entire garment industry ^[3].
• Reform Efforts: Nike has implemented significant changes including:
• A Code of Conduct for suppliers
• Independent factory audits (both announced and unannounced)
• Improved wages and safety measures
• Becoming the first in their industry to release a detailed factory conditions report in 2005 ^{[1] [4]}

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The discussion around Nike's labor practices often lacks nuance and current context:

• Competing Narratives: While Nike emphasizes its reforms and compliance requirements ^[4], advocacy groups like Clean Clothes Campaign argue that the company still pays "poverty wages" and hasn't fully addressed worker exploitation ^[5].
• Financial Interests: Multiple parties have stakes in this narrative:
• Nike benefits from emphasizing their reforms and current compliance measures
• Labor advocacy groups benefit from highlighting continuing problems
• Competitors benefit from Nike's negative publicity
• Workers and labor organizations benefit from continued scrutiny of working conditions
• Timeline Confusion: Many viral claims about Nike's labor practices are based on conditions from the 1990s, which, while historically accurate, don't reflect current conditions ^[3]. However, this doesn't mean all labor issues have been resolved.