Nike, Inc. will be decreasing the number of hand-stitched soccer balls it brings to market after the factory that it orders the balls from failed to correct “significant labor compliance violations.” The factory, Saga Sports, is based in Sialkot, Pakistan. Though Nike sources, and will continue to source, apparel in Pakistan, it does not have other ball manufacturers in the area that will be able to pick up the work no longer being done by Saga, thus the decrease in availability.
“This contract factory has persistently broken its commitments and irrevocably breached its trust with us; most importantly, the factory has failed its employees,” said Nike President and CEO Mark Parker. “Rather than continue with Saga, we have decided to limit our supply of hand-stitched soccer balls as we are developing new sources with factories committed to upholding our standards and treating workers fairly.”
