Monday, Nike Inc. announced plans to pay $1.54 million in workers’ compensation to 1,500 Honduran workers who were suddenly laid off last year.  In January 2009, workers at the Choloma and San Pedro Sula factories were surprised when the factories were closed without notice.

Nike’s decision comes after months of pressure from anti-sweatshop university and student groups.  Initially, Nike had refused to pay any workers’ compensation or severance claiming that it was the responsibility of the workers’ subcontractors, Vision Tex and Hugger.

The $1.54 million will be distributed between the 1,500 workers based on length of service and earnings.  Nike will also cover the cost of enrolling the workers in Honduras’ national health care program for one year.

While some workers’ compensation advocates are praising Nike’s decision, others believe the workers’ are still owed millions in severance payments.

If you or someone you love is seeking workers’ compensation, contact the Champaign workers’ compensation lawyers of Bruno Law Offices at 217-328-6000 to learn more about your rights.

President Obama signed an order yesterday asking federal agencies to improve overall workplace safety standards.  The order asks that in four years federal agencies will have significantly reduced the number of claims filed by employees, the time spent to review claims, and sped up employees’ return to the workplace.

In 2009, the federal government spent over $1.6 billion on workers’ compensation claims and 79,000 new claims were filed by federal employees.  These numbers do not include U.S. Postal Service statistics.

“Many of these work-related injuries and illnesses are preventable, and executive departments and agencies can and should do even more to improve workplace safety and health, reduce the financial burden of injury on taxpayers, and relieve unnecessary suffering by workers and their families,” stated Obama.

If you or someone you love has been injured or become ill on the job, contact the Champaign workers’ compensation lawyers of Bruno Law Offices at 217-328-6000 to learn more about your rights.