Business · Trade · 8 hrs ago
Cambodia factories making European football shirts face worker complaints
A BBC Sport investigation traced the production of shirts for major European clubs, including Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal, to two factories in Cambodia.
The factories employ about 6,600 people and make shirts for global sportswear supply chains.
Some workers said they faced temperatures above 35°C, pressure to meet production targets and safety concerns.
Five pay slips reviewed in the investigation showed basic monthly wages of $210 to $220 for some workers, in line with Cambodia’s legal minimum wage.
The fabric, sewing and shipping for a shirt were estimated to cost £8.50, while the retail price can reach £85; that direct-cost figure does not cover all production and selling costs.
Adidas said it audits factories in its supply chain, while the Trax factory disputed claims about mandatory production quotas and described its workers’ average monthly income as $305 to $342.
The Bowker factory did not respond to the investigation.
A BBC Sport investigation found worker complaints about heat, production pressure and safety at two Cambodian factories making shirts for major European football clubs.
The Bowker Garment Factory and Trax Apparel employ about 6,600 people combined.
Some workers’ basic monthly wages were reported at $210 to $220 for six-day workweeks, while some workers described financial strain.
The estimated fabric, sewing and shipping cost of a shirt was £8.50, compared with a sale price of up to £85.
Adidas said the factories are suppliers, not owned by the company, and that it audits factories in its supply chain.
- Who
- Workers at Bowker Garment Factory and Trax Apparel, which make shirts for European football clubs.
- What
- Workers reported high temperatures, production pressure and safety concerns. Adidas and Trax described measures and practices that differ from some complaints.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026. The investigation’s reporting date is not stated.
- Where
- Two factories in Cambodia: Bowker near Phnom Penh and Trax about 16 kilometres away.
- Why
- Workers cited production conditions and financial difficulties amid rising costs of housing, food and daily needs.
Workers reporting concerns
Adidas and Trax Apparel
Production pressure
Workers reporting concerns
Workers described daily targets of 300 to 700 items and said some faced verbal abuse for missing targets.
Adidas and Trax Apparel
Trax said its management does not impose mandatory production quotas.
Heat and safety
Workers reporting concerns
Workers reported temperatures above 35°C and concerns about electrical equipment, including one worker’s report of two electric shocks.
Adidas and Trax Apparel
Trax acknowledged periods of high temperatures but said it provides cooling systems.
An International Labour Organization report recorded heat-related problems in 69% of assessed Cambodian garment factories and worker-protection concerns in 84%.
A market study published by sports merchandise specialist Peter Rohlmann provided an estimated breakdown of a football shirt’s price.
Al Eqtisadiah published its report on the BBC Sport investigation into Cambodian shirt factories.
- Factories
- Bowker Garment Factory and Trax Apparel, Cambodia
- Combined workforce
- About 6,600 people
- Bowker workforce
- About 3,400 people, mostly women
- Trax workforce
- About 3,200 people
- Basic monthly wages
- $210–$220 for some workers, based on five payslips
- Estimated shirt costs and price
- £8.50 for fabric, sewing and shipping; sale price up to £85
Sources
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