Nike Cambodia: Rising Employment & Labor Concerns
- Despite expressing concerns over labor rights, Nike has steadily increased its presence in Cambodia.
- Other Western brands have followed suit, contributing to a surge in Cambodia's garment exports from $4.9 billion in 2013 to $9.3 billion in 2022, according to World Bank...
Nike’s Cambodia Expansion Continues Amid Labor Rights Concerns
Updated May 29, 2025
Despite expressing concerns over labor rights, Nike has steadily increased its presence in Cambodia. While reducing its manufacturing footprint in china, the athletic apparel giant has expanded its Cambodian workforce from approximately 16,000 in 2013 to over 57,000 as of March. Cambodia is now Nike’s third-largest garment supplier, nearing China’s clothing production volume.
Other Western brands have followed suit, contributing to a surge in Cambodia’s garment exports from $4.9 billion in 2013 to $9.3 billion in 2022, according to World Bank data. This growth has occurred alongside reports of jailed labor leaders, exiled politicians, imprisoned journalists and shuttered autonomous media outlets.
