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An Eleven Year Olds Understanding of Nike
Note: The following letter appeared in Saturday Night magazine, printed
in Toronto. This 11-year-old author understands more about economics than
many college professors. She also has a lot of understanding about ethics.
We feel priviledged to be able to include her eloquent statement on our
web site. One slight correction is in order. While it is quite true that
Nike has begun to make shoes in Vietnam, the company has not yet pulled
out of Indonesia. It has, however, threatened to shut down its operations
in that country. The reason? The minimum wage in Indonesia recently was
raised to the equivalent of U.S. $2.46 a DAY!!! Nike, which makes billions
of dollars a year, said that, with the new minimum wage, Indonesia "may
be pricing itself out of the market."
Cheapskates
I am eleven years old and in grade six. My class has been studying human
rights. I know almost your whole April issue is on how fabulous Nike is
("Hockey Nike in Canada" by Bruce Grierson), but let me tell you about
another issue that could fill up a magazine all on its own. Does Saturday
Night know where Nike used to set up its factories? Indonesia. Nike
has recently moved to Vietnam because the workers in Indonesia wanted
more money. They only got twenty-eight cents an hour, while Nike sells
its shoes for $100 to $200. Does Saturday Night know why Nike is
moving to Vietnam? Because in Vietnam Nike will pay ten cents an hour
to the workers. I don't blame the workers for wanting more. My personal
opinion is that Saturday Night's article shouldn't be on how great
Nike is but on how cheap it is.
Manisha Kaur Gill
Surrey, British Columbia
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