Unprotected polishing

The Dynamic Casting factory in Guangzhou produced golf clubs for Adidas. Due to appalling working conditions, more than 100 workers, most of them polishers, contracted occupational diseases. These included lung disease, damaged hearing, benzene poisoning and Hand/Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAV). Dynamic Casting has failed to adequately protect or compensate the workers concerned, while production is being transferred to Taiwan.

The Clean Clothes Campaign has filed reports with TailorMade-Adidas Golf about the case.

Adidas has responded to these, and met with the affected workers and their representatives. Adidas discussed the issues of social insurance, compensation and rehiring workers with Dynamic Casting. Some workers who had been illegally dismissed have been rehired.

However, Dynamic Casting failed to ensure that a trust fund for medical treatment and compensation was established. In addition, unresolved issues remain as to the provision of medical treatment and diagnosis to workers, and the reinstatement of other workers who were also illegally dismissed.

With regard to the expected closure of the factory in Guangzhou, Adidas reported that it has shared its expectations relating to severance payments for the workers with its supplier. Adidas also said that it will monitor whether the workers receive proper legal rights training.

Currently, the workers of Dynamic Casting are struggling to get a just settlement according to Chinese law because of the closure. Issues include health diagnosis, medical treatment, average wage payment during hospitalization and diagnosis, follow-up treatment and job security.