Sewing line in the Kukdong factory. The team is working in concert with rotating observers whose role is to provide information to management, unions and buyers to assist the process for workers returning to resume their livelihoods. The observers possess a range of experience, including work with the United Nations and the International Red Cross.
Lunch is provided to workers at no charge.
A typical meal includes soup, steak, refried beans and chips, and a glass of water. The Korean-owned Kukdong factory, located in Atlixco in the central Mexican state of Puebla, produced apparel for Nike until December and also has Reebok as a client. Our first priority was to stabilize the factory working with an independent labor expert. After approximately 500 workers returned to work, we next sought to ensure that freedom of association and collective bargaining rights of the workers were being respected. Since Jan. 29, two independent observers have been on-site at the factory working solely to facilitate workers' return to their jobs in accordance with Mexican labor law.