Nike admits abuses in chains

The sports shoe manufacterer, Nike, has admitted that there has been widespread verbal and physical abuse at its factories in Indonesia.

A company-funded report released today says workers have been bullied and sexually molested by supervisors.

It also found that they had limited access to health care and were forced to work overtime.

In several cases workers reported collapsing before their supervisors would grant access to a clinic.

A spokeswoman for Nike Maria Eitel said the findings were disturbing, but the company would provide special training for managers and hire monitors for pay and sick leave issues. A spokesman for the company hired to conduct the report said the problem was a result of globalisation and not limited to Nike.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service