Adidas rolls out supply chain project to empower Asian workers
German sportswear group adidas has published its 2012 Sustainability Progress Report, in which it announces the results of a project to improve communication between factory management and workers in its supply chain.
A pilot project that enabled employees at one of its main footwear suppliers in Indonesia to text complaints has been rolled out across Asia.
In its first months of operation, workers shared grievances on human resources-related issues, such as staff reductions, working hours and insurance, and also asked questions and made suggestions to their management.
“Protecting the interests of global workers involved in manufacturing our products is an ongoing priority for the adidas Group as we constantly strive to improve workers’ conditions in our suppliers’ factories,” said Glenn Bennett, adidas board member responsible for global operations.
The success of the pilot project has led to its extension to four other factories in Indonesia and one in Vietnam.
Frank Henke, adidas group global director for social and environmental affairs, said: “Some years ago, we established 2015 targets for the adidas Group, and we constantly review our performance against them.”
Highlights for 2012 include: the launch of adidas DryDye collection, which uses no water in the dyeing process; achieving the target of using 5% Better Cotton; and the rating of the supply factories substantially increasing.
