Thousands Of Indonesian Workers Demand Nike Not Cut Orders

Thousands of factory workers demonstrated outside the
headquarters of Nike Indonesia during a one-day strike Monday, demanding the
shoemaker scrap plans to cut orders from two local suppliers.

Workers said 14,000 jobs will be threatened if Nike (NKE) reduces orders from
producers PT Hardaya Aneka Shoes Industry and Nagasakti Paramashoes Industry.

Protesters wearing blue uniforms waved banners saying "Nike Lies" and "To
Hell with Nike."

Nike couldn't immediately be reached for comment. A local newspaper, Bisnis,
reported Saturday that Nike planned to cut orders from the two companies.

A representative of the workers said talks between the management and the
workers were under way.

Agus Darsono, a floor supervisor at one of the two manufacturers, said around
10,000 people were expected to take part in the protest.

"We reject Nike's plans to cut production," he said over the din of chants
from the crowd gathered at the Jakarta Stock Exchange where Nike has its
offices.

Nike plans to reduce orders at Nagasakti Paramashoes Industry from 650,000
pairs per month to 200,000, he said. "That production cut could send us home."

He said Nike claims the factory no longer meets quality standards and is
inefficient, "but the quality of our shoes is good. Workers have been trained
at the factory in Vietnam," he said.