Adidas and Trax Address Reports of Heat and Hazards at Cambodian Factories

Workers at garment factories in Cambodia have reported hazardous working conditions, including extreme heat and verbal abuse. Employees at the Bowker and Trax factories describe being subjected to temperatures reaching 35.2C with high humidity, while facing strict production quotas that pressure them to complete between 300 and 700 items per day.

Working conditions at Bowker and Trax factories

Inside the Bowker facility, workers have documented internal conditions where thermometers recorded 35.2C and humidity levels of 57.6%. An employee working on the ironing line stated, The heat stress is really taking a toll on our health. Beyond thermal conditions, staff at the Bowker factory reported physical safety concerns, including receiving electric shocks from exposed wiring. One worker noted that management only addressed the issue after they were shocked a second time, despite multiple prior reports.

Production pressure remains a primary grievance for staff at both facilities. Workers described being tasked with daily quotas ranging from 300 to 700 garments. When these targets are not met, employees reported facing verbal abuse. One worker at Bowker stated, When we can’t complete the quota they scold and yell at us and tell us to resign.

Corporate responses to production and safety allegations

Adidas stated that both factories maintain heat-management measures and that its internal standards do not permit any form of harassment. Regarding the reports of electrical hazards at the Bowker site, Adidas maintained that no electrical-related accidents had been found in the factory’s records.

Trax also addressed the reports of high temperatures, acknowledging periods of elevated temperature but insisting that cooling systems are in operation. The company disputed the characterization of its production practices, stating that its approach is not based on enforcing output targets.

Industry-wide labor standards in Cambodia

The concerns raised by workers at these factories reflect broader challenges within the Cambodian garment sector. A 2024 report by the International Labour Organization found that 69% of factories in the country had issues with heat, while 84% had issues with worker protection. Employees highlighted the disparity between the retail price of the apparel and their compensation, noting that while a single shirt may sell for $120 (£90), the production wages remain minimal.

Just think about that. If one shirt sells for $120 (£90) in the store, how much are they pulling in from 600 of them? They make a ton of money but give almost nothing to the workers.

Employee at Bowker/Trax