As of yet, the workers at Kukdong have yet to see any trace of a commitment to respect of their rights to freedom of association. The CROC has been largely absent, perhaps due to problems that have been erupting at other factories with FROC-CROC contracts. Workers continue to be locked out During the previous week, more workers attempting to return have been denied admittance at Kukdong, amongst them Martina Morales, a former line supervisor who, like most supervisors, played a leadership role in the work stoppage. Santiago Perez, one of the 5 leaders fired for opposing the CROC, continues to be denied employment. Despite the legally binding agreement of January 13 that should allow all workers to go back in without any specific conditions and Kukdong s public statement on March 28 that all workers are being welcomed back, returning workers are told that the factory is at full capacity.
New workers continue to be hired.
Some workers were told to come back in a month on March 25, so it is likely that many will attempt to return around Monday, April 23. Nike still needs to make a commitment to a free and fair election at Kukdong. Reebok needs to activate the commitment it expressed. Kukdong must be advised to cease the practice of intimidating independent union leaders with the trusted employee status. Nike and Reebok must advise Kukdong to cease harassment of the independent union.