Working for less than £1 an hour for major football clubs

The shirts of major clubs such as Arsenal, Celtic, Liverpool and Real Madrid are being made in factories in Cambodia, where workers face poor pay and working conditions. This situation could affect football's global branding and responsibility towards fans.

Why it matters

The news that workers making football shirts in Cambodia are being paid less than £1 an hour is a matter of grave concern to major league clubs. This is not only a violation of workers' rights, but also raises questions about the ethics of the football industry. When fans turn to buying counterfeit shirts due to rising prices, it can also affect the image of clubs.

Key Points

• Work for major football clubs for less than £1 an hour.
• A BBC Sport investigation has revealed workers in Cambodia are being paid less than £1 an hour to make football shirts, highlighting poor working conditions and rising shirt prices.
• Premier League football shirts made by workers on £1 an hour - BBC Sport.

A BBC Sport investigation has revealed that workers are being paid less than £1 an hour to make the official shirts of some of the world's biggest football clubs. The investigation identified two factories in Cambodia where conditions were described as "poor". Fans have turned to purchasing low-cost counterfeit shirts due to rising prices. According to this investigation, the shirts are being made at Bovkar Garment Factory and Tracks Apparel, which are for clubs like Arsenal, Celtic, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Factory workers said they make up to 700 items a day and are struggling to survive. Workers reported that temperatures in the factory crossed 35 degrees Celsius and that they were subjected to verbal abuse when targets were not met.

The Clean Clothes Campaign, a global workers' rights network, said our findings illustrated "the very worst situation". "These are problems many garment workers around the world face every day," it said. Research published last year showed that of a typical £85 shirt, £8.50 goes to fabric, tailoring and shipping, £37.45 to the retailer, £16.25 to the manufacturer, £9.50 to marketing and £13.60 to VAT.

Although shirt prices have risen significantly over the past decade, industry experts say technological advances and expensive kit deals with major clubs have contributed to the increase. Adidas said it has been taking various steps for more than 25 years to ensure fair and safe working conditions for workers.

Employees typically work six eight-hour shifts a week and receive a minimum wage of $210-$220 (£158-£166), according to five pay slips seen by the BBC. However, the total monthly income with overtime and allowances is around $300 (£226), but this requires them to work a lot of extra hours. “It is very difficult to live with this amount,” said a bower worker.

While Trax said the average monthly income of their workers is $305-$342 (£230-£258). Adidas said the average wage at its Cambodian suppliers is 34% above living standards. Workers in factories spoke of pressure to meet mass production targets, which range from 300 to 700 items per day. One worker said, "If a shirt costs $120, how much are they making on 600 shirts?" Workers reported being humiliated when targets were not met.

Such issues are widespread in Cambodia's garment industry. A 2024 International Labor Organization report found that 69% of factories had heat-related issues and 84% had worker safety issues. During the August Bank Holiday in England, supporters of major clubs such as Arsenal and Aston Villa were seen wearing shirts made in Cambodia. One supporter said, "The prices of official shirts have become exorbitant."

Clubs are expected to exercise appropriate oversight over their kit manufacturers and supply chains. Workers' rights groups have urged clubs to send a strong message that workers will not wear their names on their shirts if they are not respected.

What will happen next

In view of this situation, major football clubs need to take concrete steps to improve workers' rights and working conditions. Sponsors like Adidas should also take initiatives to increase transparency of their production processes and ensure the well-being of workers. If improvements are not made, it could lead to more criticism in the football world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened?

An investigation by BBC Sport has revealed that workers making shirts for major football clubs are being paid less than £1 an hour.

Who has confirmed?

The Clean Clothes Campaign, a global labor rights network, has confirmed this situation and described it as 'very poor'.

Why is this happening now?

The rise in shirt prices is leading fans to buy low-priced counterfeit shirts, making the conditions for workers even worse.

What changes are taking place?

Adidas has said that it has been taking various steps for the last 25 years to ensure fair and safe working conditions for workers.

Which clubs are involved in this matter?

The major clubs involved in this investigation include Arsenal, Celtic, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Yale Madrid included.

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