Recently, an international human rights organization accused a shoe factory in Cambodia of violating workers’ right to organize into unions. One of the companies that uses the factory is the Japanese sportswear company Asics.
The Worker Rights Consortium filed a complaint late in July, claiming the supplier mounted a pressure campaign against the chairperson of a recently formed union. The union demanded better treatment for workers.
When SGI Europe asked Asics what they had done in the matter, a spokesperson of the company referred to a reactive statement, a document that had been posted on the Asics web page. In it, Asics communicates that the company has been actively addressing the issue of “freedom of association” (the right to form a labor union) concerning our subcontracted supplier factories in Cambodia, including Star Shoes Co. ”We have been engaging with WSS and others involved to ensure compliance and respect for these fundamental rights. Asics reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding labor rights, freedom of association, and ethical practices, as outlined in our code of conduct which is established in line with international labor standards. We declare our dedication to promoting ethical business practices in collaboration with our business partners.”
This is not the first or the last time there are reports of Cambodian factories lacking labor rights, as SGI Europe has reported earlier.
Asics also says that the company is active in giving support to workers in engaging in local labor organizations: “We have demanded that WSS respect workers’ right to organize without interference or retaliation against union activities. WSS has fully accepted our demands and has committed to respect the “freedom of association” for all workers. We acknowledge the judicial decision regarding the representative of the newly forming labor union at WSS. We have confirmed that WSS prioritizes his health and safety, as evidenced by WSS’s human resource personnel visiting him to assess his health condition and ensure that the requested medical consultation and medicines are being provided.
Asics concludes the statement by saying,”We remain committed to ensuring the protection of workers’ rights and safety within our group supply chain.”
Read Asics´ full reactive statement on the matter here. Asics Supplier Code of Conduct.
