Nike execs checking out factory faintings

Source: UPI.COM Published: April 12, 2012 PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, April 12 (UPI) -- Nike executives traveled overseas to investigate mass fainting incidents among workers at a sports shoe factory in Cambodia, officials said. Union and industry representatives confirmed Tuesday Nike officials will be meeting with one of their suppliers in Phnom Penh about last week's fainting incidents, as well as allegations of violations of workers' rights at a Taiwanese-owned manufacturing plant, the Phnom Penh Post reported. Nike's executives were "looking at all aspects of working conditions and trying to come up with a comprehensive plan that could be implemented over time to improve working conditions," said Jill Tucker, chief technical adviser at Better Factories Cambodia. Ken Loo, secretary-general of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia, met with Nike's regional director for Asia Tuesday and said the company is taking the fainting incidents "very seriously." "Everybody is looking for a solution," he said, adding that "Nike is committed to being part of one." Nike was notified by the Free Trade Union after more than 300 workers fainted at a Sabrina Manufacturing plant last week in Kampong Speu, said FTU leader Chea Mony. "Workers faint every week at Sabrina," Mony said, adding that the incident was only picked up by the media when fainting occurred en masse. Nike has yet to comment on the issue.