Picture of Team GB – Image from independent.co.uk (http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article7644006.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/IA14-4-Olympic-stars.jpg)
The word “sustainable” is becoming increasingly common in our society. From bottled water companies donating proceeds towards developing countries, to airlines designing new aircraft to reduce emissions, sustainability is a trend, and the key to a sustainable workplace lies in the maintenance of ethical business practices, especially in regards to employee health.
So naturally, you’d think that the hosts of the most globally renowned sporting event would aim to align with this trend. In the recent summer Olympics, Team Great Britain sported fashionable Adidas athletic wear. However, it was later revealed that the Team GB kits were manufactured in sweatshop-like conditions in Indonesia, where the sports apparel giant contracted nine locally managed factories. Employees claimed to work up to 65 hours per week for wages under $0.60 hour while enduring physical and verbal abuse.
Additionally, these allegations contradicted the promises made by the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG): “to deliver a world class sporting event… in a sustainable way,” and violated the Sustainable Sourcing Code’s core principle of “responsible sourcing,” to ensure that products are “produced under a set of internationally acceptable environmental, social and ethical guidelines and standards.” For hosts of the Olympic Games, an event that was founded upon the ideals of unity and equitable treatment for all the world’s citizens, this is a disappointing contradiction.
To view the article and get more information click here.
To view the Sustainable Sourcing Code click here.