Charges of unfair working conditions in Vietnam against Nike
were the focus of a "48 Hours" report by CBS' Roberta Baskin last
evening. Baskin reported that while in newspaper accounts of
worker abuse incidents, "you never see Nike's name," as Nike
doesn't own the factories, Korean subcontractors do. Baskin:
"It's the Koreans who've been catching the blame, while Nike
keeps a low profile." A Vietnamese labor official: "They see
this matter as totally unrelated to them. They just stand behind
someone else." Baskin compared Nike's efforts in Vietnam to
Coca-Cola's efforts in the country, in which they don't
subcontract, teach English and pay higher wages. Baskin and a
CBS film crew attended Nike's shareholders meetings in Beaverton,
OR, where Nike CEO Phil Knight was asked about reports of poor
working conditions. Knight refused "48 Hours" request for an
interview. Nike spokesperson Keith Peters, on camera, said Nike
did not wish to speak with "48 Hours" because they did not view
the show as "objective, independent and sincere." Baskin pressed
Peters on the Nike's knowledge of abuse toward workers. Peters
concluded he was "unaware" of certain incidents, and said, "when
things happen to workers, it bothers me very much." One
Vietnamese authority, on Nike's reaction to the reported
incidents: "If the company intentionally turns away from this, it
will have an effect on their reputation. People will hear their
name and just won't believe in them." CBS' Dan Rather added Nike
"plans to hire outside observers to talk to employees and examine
working conditions in its Vietnam factories. But the company
won't say just when that might happen" (CBS, 10/17).
SMALL TALK: In yesterday's Portland OREGONIAN, Nike
Spokesperson Jim Small: "I'm hopeful '48 Hours' will accurately
and fairly show the progress we've made in this area. But
certainly television today is about ratings. And their trailer,
which I would say is tantalizing, is clearly aimed at getting
ratings" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/17).
