Nike Says Its Factory Workers Make Nearly Double the Minimum Wage. In Indonesia, Workers Say, “It’s Not True.”

ProPublicaCenter-LeftEN 12 min read 100% complete by Matthew KishJanuary 30, 2026 at 11:30 AM

AI Summary

long article 12 min

Nike claims its overseas suppliers pay factory workers nearly double the local minimum wage, a statement the company has reiterated since 2021. However, investigations by reporters at The Oregonian/OregonLive and ProPublica challenge this assertion. In Indonesia, Nike's second-largest production hub, roughly 100 workers from over 10 factories reported earning far less than double the minimum wage. A ProPublica investigation in Cambodia found similar discrepancies, with only 1% of workers at a former Nike supplier earning the claimed wage. Nike defends its wage claims by stating that 66% of workers earn a living wage, enough to meet basic needs, and that comparing pay solely to the minimum wage is misleading.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

ProPublica ×235% Cambodia 35% Jakarta 40% West Java 40% Central Java 40% The Oregonian/OregonLive ×250% Phil Knight 60% Indonesia ×485% Nike Inc. ×795%

Keywords

nike 100% minimum wage 100% factory workers 90% indonesia 80% wage claim 70% living wage 60% supply chain 50% labor practices 50% overseas suppliers 40%