In January 2009, approximately 1,500 Honduran workers at Nike Inc.'s Choloma and San Pedro Sula factories were shocked when their workplaces were shut down without notice. Since then, anti-sweatshop university and student groups have been pressuring Nike Inc. to pay the laid off workers the compensation and severance they deserve.
Initially, Nike refused to pay the workers, arguing that it was the responsibility of their subcontractors, Vision Tex and Hugger. However, on Monday, Nike Inc. announced the approval of $1.54 million in workers' compensation to be paid to the laid off Honduran workers. The compensation will be distributed between workers based on length of service and earnings.
Scott Nova, director of the Workers Rights Consortium, stated his belief that Nike will "fully compensate workers for what they are owed". On the contrary, many groups still believe the workers are owed around $2.2 million in severance payments.
If you or someone you love is seeking workers' compensation, contact the Chicago workers' compensation attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights.