Behind an international brand jersey may lie the hard work of Cambodian workers. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently published an investigation into Cambodian supplier factories that produce football jerseys for brands including Adidas, raising discussion over issues such as wages, working conditions and production pressure reported by workers.
The investigation covered two factories around Phnom Penh, employing a combined total of about 6,600 workers. Payslips reviewed by the BBC showed that some workers earn a basic monthly salary of around US$210 to US$220, with monthly income of about US$300 once overtime pay and allowances are included.
Some interviewed workers also said the factories were hot, production targets were high and they faced considerable pressure on the job. It should be noted that the accounts come from workers' statements and cannot be taken as evidence that all factories have the same problems.
Adidas responded that the company continues to conduct supply chain audits and has taken measures to improve workers' conditions. The supplier involved also described the factory's cooling facilities and management measures. The accounts given by the parties differ, and the specific circumstances still need to be verified further.
The dispute is closely tied to ordinary Cambodian families. The garment industry provides large numbers of local jobs, and wages, workplace safety and job stability directly affect workers' lives.
For consumers, when buying international brand products, in addition to price and quality, they can also pay attention to the labor conditions behind the products. How to safeguard employment while improving workers' treatment has become a shared concern for brands, factories and society.
