Nike, Fila and Agron Caps Made in China Wei Li Textile Ltd.  Number 2 Industrial Area San Xiang, Chongzhan Guangdong Province, China	Nike, Fila and Agron
One cap factory pays nearly twice the wage of other Nike contractors in China; Average Wage:  56 cents an hour; No forced overtime; But factory management runs a company union and hires only single young women, 16 to 25 years old.	Wei Li Textile, or the Supercap Factory, is a Taiwanese-owned company with three factories in Chongshan and Zhu Hai employing a total of 6,100 workers.

Nike Caps made in China retails for $16

Wei Li Textile Factory Number 2 produces caps for Nike, Fila, Agron and other labels for export to the United States and Europe.  There are 3,000 workers in the factory, 80 to 90 percent of them young women, 16 to 25 years of age, who are migrants from the rural provinces of Henan, Sichuan, Anhui and Hunan. A recruitment advertisement posted outside of the Wei Li Textiles Factory #2 in March 2000 read:

During the peak season, the workers were at the factory 13 hours a day, while being paid for 12 hours.  They were working seven days a week, with every other Sunday off.  On average, they were at the factory 84 ˝ hours a week, and were paid for 78 hours.  Working this schedule, the women could earn $27.80 a week—37 cents an hour.

 

Because of production needs, we are looking for experienced workers in the computerized stitching and sewing sections. Requirements: Gender:           Female only Age                  17 – 21 Qualifications: Junior secondary or above Documents:    Identity card, education certificate, single certificate, health card.  No color blind or color disability is a must. Application:      9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday Nice working environment, comprehensive living facility, sufficient orders.  Wages are paid on piece rate. More work done, more profit. Welcome to join us!

In November 1999, the computerized stitching section was working daily 12-hour shifts, with every other Sunday off. The work schedule was: ·<>         8:00 a.m. – 12 noon (12 noon – 1:00 p.m. lunch) ·<>         1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. However, by March of 2000, the Wei Li Textiles factory appeared to be working on a five-day, 8-hour a day, 40-hour Monday through Friday schedule. All production workers are paid according to a piece rate system.  Wages range from $19.46 to $25.02 per week, averaging $22.24 per week, or 56 cents an hour.  Average wage: ·<>         56 cents an hour ·<>         $4.45 a day (8 hour shift) ·<>         $22.24 a week (5-day, 40-hour workweek) ·<>         $96.39 per month ·<>         $1,156.63 per year  The workers are charged 135 rmb a month for dorm accommodations and food, which is deducted from their wages.  Eight workers share one room.  Strict factory regulations require that all dorm lights be shut off before 11 p.m.  Failure to do so will result in a fine.  The workers must pay 70 rmb for their temporary residency permits.  Many workers are not inscribed in Social Security health, pension and unemployment insurance, which leaves them with no safety net whatsoever. Wei Li Textiles has established a “company union” at the factory, with management choosing the workers’ representatives.