Workers in footwear factories in China producing shoes on behalf of Nike do not enjoy the same protection as their peers elsewhere in the sports brand's empire because, it claims, of gaps in the country’s labour laws.

A new report on Nike's corporate social responsibility efforts in China says the company commends the steps the Chinese government has taken so far to increase protection of workers’ rights.The report continues: “However, when comparing Chinese law with the basic protections outlined under the [International Labour Organisation] Convention, there are gaps in protection that workers elsewhere enjoy.”

At the moment, 180 factories with 210,000 workers across China carry out work for Nike.