Response from adidas

"In recent years there has been a growing trend in some countries for suppliers to outsource the entire employment relationship. The Workplace Standards does not prohibit the use of recruitment agents. However, the factory will still be deemed directly responsible for all recruitments terms, employment terms and conditions, and to ensure that our Employment Guidelines are adhered to throughout the recruitment process. In short, suppliers may use recruitment agents, but are not allowed to use employment agencies which manage the entire employment relationship. A supplementary guidance note was developed on this standard in 2006, which will be incorporated into the second edition of the adidas Group Employment Guidelines, due for release in 2009."