Nike takes a step toward better working conditions

But at the University of Arizona, student protesters say they aren't holding their breath for Nike to increase labor wages and allow independent factory monitors.

During the two-day forum, held this week in Bangkok, Thailand, senior footwear industry officials looked at how air quality test results improved after Nike factories replaced petroleum-based solvents with safer, water-based chemicals.

During the Nike-sponsored seminar, attended by executives from Adidas, Converse, Reebok, K-Swiss, Puma and others, the Beaverton, Ore.-based shoe giant announced it has reduced the amount of potentially unhealthy solvents by three-fourths in the past three years.

Nike also promised to ensure no worker is exposed to dangerous vapor levels by the end of this year.

A campus group known as Students Against Sweatshops has been following Nike's labor practices since the company approached the UA with a contract in 1997.

Although the $7 million athletic apparel contract was drafted and signed earlier this year, the student organization continues to scrutinize Nike's actions.

"I'm glad to hear Nike is making some effort to improve working conditions," said Arne Ekstrom, Students Against Sweatshops president. "But we're still not entirely convinced that they are 100 percent committed to that effort."

Ekstrom, a neurobiology graduate student, said Nike still needs to pay its southeast Asian factory workers better wages, and he questioned why it took the company so long to improve air quality.

"They denied it until it couldn't be denied anymore," he said. "They only do it (make changes) in response to criticism."

Nike has been accused repeatedly of allowing overseas laborers to endure long hours, low wages and unhealthy working conditions.

But recently, the company has taken steps to work with human rights organizations and colleges to establish and follow a code of conduct that respects human rights.

In September 1997, indoor air quality testing began in all of Nike's 37 southeast Asian factories. A total of 180,000 factory workers were tested - an average of 49,000 workers per factory.

"The high concentration of vapors can be potentially hazardous," said Dusty Kidd, Nike director for labor practices yesterday. "We want to get factories to a point that it is not a health issue."

The vapors come from adhesives used to glue shoes together, Nike spokesman Vada Manager said.

Workers in a petroleum-filled environment can suffer nose irritation and respiratory problems if they are not wearing protective gear.

Dick Crosbie, Nike senior environmental technician, was the first to suggest converting to water-based solutions.

Crosbie said they actually make better products.

Ekstrom hopes the changes are a sign of more labor improvements to come.

"That's a step in the right direction," he said. "What we're looking for is a substantial improvement."

Manager said those attending the forum will tour factories in Thailand today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Irene Hsiao can be reached via e-mail at Irene.Hsiao@wildcat.arizona.edu.