The Workers' Words

"We don't want skills training, I want a raise."
- 25-year-old shoe factory worker from Nike's KMK factory speaking about the Global Alliance

"We have to work 100 years to get what Mia Hamm gets (in a year)."
- 21-year-old female factory worker

"Everyday after work my body is really weak and I cry. But I know I have to survive for myself and my family. Everyday I just hope that God will give me a better life."
- 21-year-old female factory worker

"I work for four years and can't even afford to by the shoes… and Mia Hamm gets rich by only wearing the t-shirts I make with my sweat."
- 22-year-old female factory worker

"We are proud because what we make is seen all over the world, but we feel very sad because of our situation."
- 21-year-old female factory worker

"Sometimes I am very proud because the shoes I make are worn by the football players (soccer) that are popular all over the world. At the same time I feel very sad inside because I get 300000Rp per month… not enough to survive."
- 22-year-old female factory worker

"I want the athletes that wear the shoes we make to think first before they sign their contracts. They should know how we live here."
- 21-year-old factory worker

"No." (laughing)
- All twelve workers we interviewed from Nike's PT ADIS factory when asked if they had any personal savings

"Working for Nike is not a great job, but we have no choice."
- 23-year-old worker from Nike's PT ADIS factory

"Very, very bullshit."
- Antoni Silo, union organizer on Nike's claim that they pay workers decent wages

"Get workers involved in making the Code of Conduct. Pay a living wage, about 900,000Rp (per month for the basic wage), and improve health and safety standards (gloves and masks, ergonomic chairs, end sexual harassment)."
– Antoni Silo, labor organizer on what Nike needs to do

"No. Because I am a Christian."
- Antoni Silo, labor organizer, when asked if he was afraid of dying in the struggle for justice

"All my work with workers…is because of my belief in Jesus."
- Anthony Silo, on his work as an organizer

"It is not enough."
- Dr. Lisa Safria, (University of Brawijaya, East Java, Malong) on the question of the 200000Rp health care allotment for Nike workers

"Very sad. They have no choice. Must work to survive. Not enough to give attention to family. Government policy needs to change."
- Sobirin, Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, on the situation of the factory workers

"Give less to ads, more to workers."
– Sobirin, on Mia Hamm's contract with Nike

"The workers need three things: freedom to organize, fairness in the ‘give and take,' and at least 20000Rp per day."
– Sobirin

"Immoral."
– Sobirin, when asked to give one word to describe Catholic Universities' endorsement contracts with Nike

"They have power. Need to campaign for us. It would help the workers."
– Sobirin on what the US Bishops can do

"We need help from US unions on strategies for collective bargaining."
– Sobirin, on what US unions can do

"I don't know what to say anymore to you…follow your heart…realize what you've done to us here, it is so bad, and you know it."
- Surya Tjandra, lawyer, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, in a plea to Phil Knight

"We need to develop plantations and agriculture. We are an agricultural country."
– Surya Tjandra on true development for Indonesia

"I think you should remember our women here. Your money comes from Indonesian workers. It's your responsibility and obligation to show to the world what is happening in Indonesia." - Surya Tjandra in an appeal to Mia Hamm, US Women's National Soccer Team