Dive Summary:
- The University of Washington ended its sports-apparel contract with Adidas after the school's chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops brought attention to labor-rights violations made by the company in Indonesia.
- According to the student group, Adidas owes about $1.8 million in severence to 2,800 employees at its now-closed PT Kizone factory, and failure to pay severence is against the university's code of conduct for apparel companies.
- In a statement, University of Washington President Michael Young said the company's handling of the situation in Indonesia "does not meet our expectations for the humane and ethical treatment of workers who produce UW licensed products."
From the article:
The University of Washington has severed a sports-apparel contract with Adidas after a nearly yearlong campaign by students, who say the company has violated the labor rights of overseas workers. The contract with Adidas returned about $3,000 in royalties to the UW last year, said Kathy Hoggan, director of trademarks and licensing for the university. The licensing agreement allows the German multinational company to make sports apparel with the UW logo, which is sold in stores around campus. ...