A report by sport clothing giant Nike has found that their staff in Indonesia are being subjected to ‘serious’ physical and verbal abuse.

Staff in two factories are routinely being kicked, slapped, having trainers thrown at them and subjected to verbal abuse being labelled pigs and dogs.

In 2010 Nike Inc. reported a net income of $559 million, the highest increase since the company went public in 1980, and meanwhile the Indonesian workers are being paid 30 pence per day to make Nike trainers.

Greg Muttitt, campaigns and policy director at anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: “Sportswear brands such as Nike have a clear responsibility to ensure ethical standards from their suppliers. Yet, time and again, companies have failed to achieve it.”

Labour behind the Label have launched a Playfair campaign for Indonesian workers in the run up to the London Olympic Games and on 7 June 2011 an agreement between trade unions and sportswear brands including Nike, Adidas and Puma was made to improve conditions for Indonesian workers.

The Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council have researched in to the ethical dilemmas behind our clothing choices and the human cost behind clothing.

Rev Liz Gibson said: “The fact that this is still going on is so sad and despicable. Companies are claiming that they are taking action but nothing is changing.

“It is important that people realise that every part of our lives count and we need to take notice and care about other people.

“Individuals can ask questions before making purchases regarding the conditions in which the garments were made and the laws to suppliers in this country could be extended in order to ensure that conditions are appropriate.”

Read more on the ethics of clothes.