After the BBC broadcast "Gap and Nike: No Sweat:" in October, 2000 there was a pledge from Nike that any underage workers would be sent to school, and would then be free to return to the factory once they'd reached working age. This has not happened.
The reason appears to be that neither the factory June Textiles, nor Nike, are convinced the girls really are underage. One of the joung women involved is also still claiming to be older so she can continue to work.
It has long been a concern of some labour unions, non-government organisations ( NGOs) that the availability of low-priced consumer product in western countries is largely the result of unjust labour practices in the industries of developing countries. Since the 1970s economic development, particularly in Asian countries and the so-called free trade agreements of the 1990s are seen by these groups as encouraging exploitative employment practices if not a modern-day slavery.
Free trade agreements have been seen by many developing countries and most NGOs as far from fair for poorer countries. There are many issues raised when discussing the effects of globalisation on poor people and as an attempt to illustrate the complexities, the BBC’s Panorama documentary entitled "Gap and Nike: No Sweat?" consisted of case-studies. Broadcast in October 2000, produced by Fiona Campbell and fronted by Paul Kenyon, the documentary concentrated on the issue of child labour.
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