Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Canada’s local food system faces major roadblocks without urgent policy changes 
Trump Urges Hall of Fame Induction for Roger Clemens Amid Renewed Debate 
The Beauty Beneath the Expressway: A Journey from Self to Service 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Big-Money College Athlete Payouts 
US Reviewing Visa Denial for Venezuelan Little League Team Barred from World Series 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
SpaceX Pushes for Early Stock Index Inclusion Ahead of Potential Record-Breaking IPO 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Trump Plans UFC Event at White House for America’s 250th Anniversary 
Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right 
What makes a good football coach? The reality behind the myths 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
Cambodia and Thailand face controversy over alleged unpaid wages following COVID-19 factory closures. Investors are seeking $2.2 million for 4,000 workers from two suppliers, turning the spotlight onto sportswear titan Nike ahead of its annual shareholder meeting.
This request from investors, which includes Dutch bank Triodos and pension fund PGGM, adds to the mounting pressure faced by sportswear giant Nike, especially in light of upcoming European Union regulations targeting the fashion industry.
On Tuesday, Nike's annual shareholder meeting is expected to face increasing scrutiny of its supply chain. It includes ongoing investigations by Canadian and U.S. government agencies.
In a letter dated September 7 addressed to Nike's CEO John Donahoe, the investors seek evidence of Nike's commitment to "future-proofing" its manufacturing processes. Kees Gootjes, business and human rights advisor for ABN AMRO, signed the letter on behalf of the Dutch bank. In a statement to Reuters, Nike refuted the allegations, stating that it ceased sourcing products from the Cambodian factory in 2006 and found no evidence of back pay owed to workers in Thailand.
Those advocating for compensation include Dutch bank Triodos and pension fund PGGM. Their concerns are based on a June report from the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Workers Rights Consortium (WRC), which claims that Violet Apparel, a Cambodian factory, dismissed 1,284 workers without proper compensation. The factory allegedly manufactured clothing for Nike until its closure in July 2020.
The WRC highlighted issues at another Nike supplier, Hong Seng Knitting in Thailand. It claims the factory withheld around $800,000 in furlough pay from over 3,000 mostly Burmese migrant workers during a pandemic-related slowdown in 2020.
Nike, however, maintains that all employees at Hong Seng Knitting were compensated by local law and its Code of Conduct, citing an independent third-party investigation and legal review.
Photo: FILMDUDES/Unsplash
