Factories violate local laws for payment of overtime. Workers are treated as though they are in a prison labour camp. They complain of beatings by security guards. They are forced to do daily rounds of early-morning calisthenics, and are fined if they miss them. Deducting disciplinary fines from wages is illegal in China.
Wildcat strikes are common, but workers often lose out.
At one factory in March 1997, the entire assembly production department went on strike over non-payment of wages. All the striking workers were fired. Children ages 13-15 are employed in the sewing, handwork and cutting department at the Wellco factory, which produces for Nike. The use of child labour is a clear violation of China's Labor Law and Nike's Codes of Conduct. Workers who refuse overtime can be docked an entire day's pay or even fired.