{"id":1223795,"date":"2023-07-12T20:01:33","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T01:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=1223795"},"modified":"2023-07-12T20:01:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T01:01:38","slug":"canada-investigating-nike-over-forced-uyghur-labor-allegations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/canada-investigating-nike-over-forced-uyghur-labor-allegations\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada is Investigating Nike Over Forced Uyghur Labor Allegations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
(Lead via Nike<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) has initiated an investigation into allegations that Nike<\/a> Canada<\/strong> is connected to businesses profiting from forced Uyghur labor in China, per Sourcing Journal<\/a><\/em>. This marks the first investigation by the CORE, which was established in 2019 to hold Canadian companies accountable for potential human rights abuses in their overseas operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sheri Meyerhoffer, who has led CORE since its inception, spoke at a press conference on Tuesday, detailing the launch of a formal probe following the completion of an initial assessment report, which details potential supply relationships between Nike Canada and six Chinese companies: Changji Esquel Textile Co., Huafu Fashion, Haoyuanpeng Garment Group, Texhong Textile Group, Qingdao Jifa Huajin Garment Co. and Qingdao Taekwang Shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the United States, both Changji Esquel Textile Co. and Huafu Fashion\u2019s Aksu Huafu Textiles subsidiary are on the\u00a0Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act\u00a0Entity List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The investigation follows a complaint filed by a coalition of organizations, including Stop Uyghur Genocide Canada, the Uyghur Refugee Relief Fund, and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The complaint presented evidence from reports by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in 2020 and Sheffield Hallam University’s Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice in 2021, alleging that Nike Canada failed to ensure it was not benefiting from forced labor and did not cut ties with certain companies associated with the Xinjiang region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nike Inc., the parent company of Nike Canada, stated that it does not source materials or products from the Xinjiang region and conducts ongoing precautions to identify forced labor risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Swoosh also specifically denied working with three of the companies cited in the report — Changji Esquel Textile Co., Haoyuanpeng Garment Group, and Qingdao Jifa Huajin Garment Co..<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the CORE found conflicts in available information and deemed further examination necessary. The assessment highlighted bills of lading from a Vietnamese factory owned by one of the companies cited, indicating the need to investigate the relationship between Nike and the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nike declined to participate in a mediation process, but later requested a meeting and the opportunity to provide a written submission after receiving a draft of the initial assessment report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CORE declined Nike’s request as the Canadian organization believes it would have delayed the timing of the report\u2019s release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n