Please review the below link about Nike case named \"Nike Sweatshops: Behind the

Question

Please review the below link about Nike case named "Nike Sweatshops: Behind the Swoosh ":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uYCWVfuPQ

Then, please kindly respond to the below questions:

1. These workers state the “only thing they have is their work”. This statement suggests that without this work, they
would have a lower standard of living. Should we inflict western values on this society? Bring in the concepts of social
responsibility, integrity and other business ethics practices.

2. From Nike’s standpoint, is this a fair assessment of their ethical standards? Explain the some of the ethical issues
that Nike is facing in the case.
3. Explain what Nike has done to improve this situation since this 2011 video. Include the use of codes of ethics and
other ethical standards implemented within the organization.
4. Is your opinion of Nike any different now after viewing this video? Would this change your buying behavior with respect
to Nike products?

Thank you.

Explanation / Answer

1. Even if the workers have only the work to rely upon, they don't deserve to be treated with indignity, bias and victimisation as depicted in the case. The values, whether they belong to western or eastern societies, don't allow anyone to work under suppressive and inhuman conditions. For a sportswear giant like Nike, it is the exposure to harsh reality of its partners in the developing world, and a shame that it could not detect, monitor and control the code of ethics it follows back home.

2. They might be following very high standards of ethics at their home turf, but here in third world, they failed miserably to arrest the menace of poor work ethics, bullying owners, unhygienic conditions of work, insufficient wages and all kinds of discriminatory policies that grossly overlook the health, social and mental and economical well being and future prospects of workers. The issues faced here include child labour, poor wages, poor work conditions, health hazards and poor treatment of workers.

3. Post 2011, Nike established a code of conduct for forcing every individual factory to follow it.The monitoring is done through 21 teams based across 21 geographical locations. They monitored general work environment, hygiene and working conditions. Unannounced inspections in the factory was to be conducted and on the basiss of these findings every factory was to be graded on a scale of A-D. Companies could use the improvement measures to improve their grades and be a sustainable partner with Nike, while the later can have a fair and real time assessment of the work conditions and vulnerability to the violation of ethical conduct at the supplier end

4. My opinion is the same as before, having seen, read and listened to many issues related to the violations of the workplace ethics both at home and in third world countries, not about Nike only, but many other global brands that get their stuff made in the sweatshops in Eastern and South Eastern Asia, where a cost of jacket made by a worker is more than twice his monthly wages.

The buying behavior will be more in favor of the companies about whom I know better, or at least the ones lesser known for their violations of work ethics abroad. I would prefer not prefer to buy Nike if other options are available from "cleaner" companies.

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