UK charity blasts Team GB sponsor Adidas' use of 'sweatshops' for production

London, June 7 (ANI): UK charity organization War on Want has criticized the sweatshop conditions of supplier factories of official Olympic sportswear sponsor Adidas.

With 50 days to go until the Games begin, War on Want launched a new campaign to highlight the issue about thousands of people around the world, who were working long hours on poverty wages in appalling conditions to make Adidas goods.

"Around the world, thousands of people making Adidas goods face appalling conditions, poverty wages and excessive working hours, with little dignity or respect," the BBC quoted War on Want sweatshops campaigner Murray Worthy, as saying.

War on Want's campaign video mimics the style of campaign adverts for charities targeting poverty and abuse in the UK, with the message that basic respect for workers' rights should be universal and the slogan: "Exploitation. It's not OK here. It's not OK anywhere."

"This is exploitation. Exploitation of workers is not ok, no matter where they are. Adidas must take responsibility for the workers who make their clothes," he added.

Adidas said a previous report from War on Want contained several inaccuracies including the suggestion that the company manufactured 2012 Olympic products in Bangladesh, which it said it did not do.

However, Adidas denied the claim and said it was committed to protecting rights.

It added that it had contacted War on Want twice to discuss its earlier allegations but had received no response.

"We take all allegations about working conditions extremely seriously and will investigate any new claims immediately. But it is very important to note that we found no evidence to support claims made in a previous War on Want report about factory conditions in Bangladesh," an Adidas spokeswoman said.

The official Team GB sponsor also said that it aimed to ensure "fair and safe working conditions in factories throughout our global supply chain". (ANI)