“Establishment of representative office in VN was the intended target of Nike Corporation” said Nike In. VN General Manager Amada Tucker

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Peoples Committee Huynh Van Toi awarded certificate of merit to Nike Inc. VN

(ĐN) - Pouchen, Chang Shin, TaeKwang Vina, Dona Victor and others are footwear companies with their 100% foreign owned capitals located in Dong Nai that are the Nike subcontractors. On the occasion of 10^th anniversary of Nike Inc. VN establishment, the journalist of Dong Nai Newspaper did an interview with Mrs. Amada Tucker. Answering the questions about operation of Nike Inc. VN and its subcontractors, Amada told that during the past 10 years, Nike Inc. VN and its subcontractors have created many jobs for over 130 thousands people who included the major denomination of the Dong Nai workforce. Establishment of VN representative office of Nike Inc. USA aimed to supervise and provide technical support for its subcontractors in order to meet requirements of footwear quality as specified in sale contracts being signed between them. At the same time, the Nike always take initiative in securing a safety working environment for employees, responsible care for environmental protection and social affairs.

Thanks to good cooperation between the Nike, its subcontractors and the local authorities, the Nike subcontractors in VN received increasingly footwear orders. In 1995, there were only 5 companies that produced athletic footwear to sell their products for the Nike. Up to now, there have been 10 athletic shoes companies and over 30 sportswear factories that are the Nike subcontractors. Amada hoped that suppliers in Nike’s network would be expanded further in coming years. She also appreciated highly efforts of the subcontractors in extending their actives into Vietnam in order to raise the reputation of the Nike trade name. According to her opinion, Vietnamese employees played an importance role in success of the Nike and its subcontractors. They are skillful and have inquiring mind and creativeness that propose better solutions for the production and have good relationship with the owners. Besides, the stable socio – economic situation in VN helps foreign investors including Nike Inc. VN and its subcontractors grow their businesses. She emphasizes that VN should pay more attention to upgrade its infrastructure such as telecommunications and ports etc. The matter should be settled as soon as possible in order to VN being ready to join WTO. Concern about workforce shortages, she said that Nike Inc. is not affected directly by the situation. The Nike subcontractors, however, have a serious shortage of skillful workforce because other companies offered higher paying jobs and favorable conditions for employees with their purpose of attracting them. One of the workforce shortage issues of Nike Inc. VN and its subcontractors is to look after better living standards of their employees.

Feng Tay, Nike’s second-largest supplier, for instance, has been enjoyed free to lease in land with the purpose of building apartment block for its employees. Other subcontractors are also finding out quick solutions to housing problems for employees as well as provide favorable conditions for them in order to keep a stable workforce in their companies. Amada believed that Nike Inc. VN would continue to expand further its activities in VN. This is also a commitment of the Nike to do its business for a long term in VN. Passing 10 years, operation of Nike Inc. VN during showed clearly the Nike determination.

Kim Loan