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We can confirm that there was a strike at Pou Chen organized by a group of workers who have sought, unsuccessfully, to register as a union with the local labor authority. Their protest focused on demands for higher wages for their fellow workers and, although unregistered, for recognition as a union with collective bargaining powers.

For the safety of the workers, the strike was conducted within the grounds of the factory. At its peak, approximately 600 workers had participated in the strike.

The factory has argued that the strike was illegal and jeopardized the safety of all employees. After 3 days absence, workers were asked to return to work. Those that failed to do so were dismissed.

adidas has objected strongly to these dismissals, which are in breach of our Workplace Standards and our long-standing commitment to upholding workers’ freedom of association. We are investigating the lawfulness of the supplier’s actions and we have called on Pou Chen to immediately reinstate the dismissed workers.

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