Adirana Herrera, of Fashioning Change, recently pointed us in the direction of Nike’s new website, Nike Better World.

The new site highlights Nike’s efforts in environmental responsibility and philanthropic work in communities around the world. The site uses some controversial language to direct visitors to specific projects they are working on. For example, “Capitalism takes a backseat” links to the Greenxchange, and “H.I.V. is S.O.L” links to Nike Product (RED).

There is no question that Nike is involved in supporting some pretty progressive, groundbreaking, and world changing programs. Sifting through these highlighted endeavours, however, one can’t help but notice an absence in mention of any that support/promote workers rights in the supply chain. While this does not mean the company is not working toward responsible sourcing, it does paint an incomplete picture of Nike’s corporate social responsibility.

Needless to say, we look forward to the day when Nike’s human rights record will make us want to puke.

Mary F Hanlon

Mary has a PhD in Sociology from University of Edinburgh, researching responsible fashion and transnational labour rights activism in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh.