Copyright 1997 South China Morning Post Ltd.
Cartoon Distors the situation in factories
Letters To The Editors
June 6, 1997 South China Morning Post
Recently the Doonesbury comic strip in the South China Morning Post has featured a Nike factory in Vietnam.
Much of the story line is focused around the apparent inability of a worker to survive on her daily wage.
As someone who spends a great deal of time in the factories talking to workers about issues such as wages and working conditions, I am surprised that inaccurate information is being spread in a light-hearted manner through a daily cartoon.
The reality is that workers value jobs at these factories and companies such as Nike help create wealth for people in countries such as Vietnam. The facts speak for themselves.
The average per capita income in rural Vietnam (where all Nike sub-contracted factories are located) is less than US$200 (about HK$1,540) per year. A worker in one of our sub-contracted Vietnam factories earns, on average, two to three times that amount.
The average cost of a meal in rural Vietnam, according to Save the Children Fund UK, is about nine US cents per meal. This is significantly lower than what is implied in the Doonesbury strip.
Most workers are able to save enough of their salary every month to send money home to their families, put siblings or children through school and purchase incidentals such as electronics and jewellery. Workers also receive many other benefits such as free medical care, English classes and job skills training.
A comic strip is not meant to be an accurate depiction of life. But I am sure your readers would agree that it should not be a vehicle for spreading hearsay.
Nike is proud of the many initiatives it has taken to improve conditions on the factory floor. Nike has been a leader in our industry for many years - and working conditions are no exception. I encourage readers to request more information by faxing me on 2956-1901.
MARTHA BENSON
Director of Communications
Asia-Pacific Nike International
Nike in the News