As the world reeled from news of hundreds of textile workers’ deaths in Bangladesh in April, there was good news for thousands of workers in Indonesia after some 2,800 former employees from the PT Kizone factory, who were owed $1.8 million by a supplier to sportswear giant Adidas, won a ‘substantial sum’ from the brand.
Campaigners say the case shows how global brands can be pushed into taking responsibility for workers’ rights throughout the supply chain. Backed by labour rights activists, workers waged an international campaign, branding the company ‘Badidas’ after it initially refused to pay severance when the factory closed in April 2011. Protesters targeted Adidas stores and 12 US universities cut ties with the company.Aslam Hidayat, PT Kizone workers’ leader, said he felt proud, ‘but most of all, we are relieved that our families will be receiving the funds that they need so desperately.’
