Leading sportswear giants Adidas, Nike, and Converse are under fire after reports emerged of unpaid overtime and questionable working conditions at a supplier factory in London. Workers at the facility allege they were forced to work excessive hours without proper compensation, raising serious concerns about labour practices in the fashion industry.
Factory Workers Speak Out
Employees at the London-based factory, which produces footwear for all three brands, claim they regularly worked 60-hour weeks but were only paid for 40 hours. "We had no choice—if we refused, they threatened to replace us," one worker told investigators. The factory reportedly supplied products to high-street retailers across the UK.
Brands Respond to Allegations
In statements to the press, Adidas and Nike said they were "deeply concerned" by the reports and promised immediate investigations. Converse, owned by Nike, stated they have "strict supplier codes of conduct" and would terminate contracts if violations were confirmed. However, labour rights groups argue these responses are inadequate without concrete action.
Growing Pressure for Ethical Reform
The scandal has reignited debates about fast fashion's human cost. "This isn't an isolated incident—it's systemic," said a spokesperson for the Ethical Trading Initiative. "Major brands must take responsibility for their entire supply chain." Activists are calling for:
- Independent audits of supplier factories
- Legal action against labour violations
- Transparent wage reporting systems
As consumer awareness grows, industry analysts warn that brands risk significant reputational damage if they fail to address these issues promptly.
