After Black Employees Protest... Adidas to Increase Hiring Ratio and Provide $20 Million Support

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Sportswear manufacturer Adidas plans to increase the hiring of Black employees in the United States and support Black communities with $20 million (approximately 23.93 billion KRW), reportedly in response to internal backlash from Black employees, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 9th (local time).

According to the report, Adidas stated that at least 30% of its hires in the U.S. will be Black and Hispanic, and it will provide scholarships to Black students at 50 universities over the next five years. Additionally, it plans to invest $20 million in Black communities over the next four years, including support programs for vulnerable groups such as basketball programs.

Adidas said, "The events of the past two weeks have forced all of us to confront the cultural and systemic elements that perpetuate racism," adding, "We acknowledge that Black communities have contributed tremendously to the success of both ourselves and others." Adidas also mentioned that it has recently held discussions with Black employees and plans to hold detailed support plan briefings in Portland and Boston later this week.

This move by Adidas comes amid nationwide anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd, triggered by demands from Black employees to change discriminatory corporate culture. Last week, Black employees requested that management increase the proportion of Black and Hispanic employees to 31% across all levels by next year and support Black communities with $50 million annually.

Although Adidas expressed its stance against racism following Floyd's death, Black employees criticized the internal corporate culture as unfair, noting that there are no Black individuals among the six executives and sixteen board members.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.