Transcript Social Accountability International

Social
Accountability
International
Setting standards for a just world
Marisa Parmigiani, Lisbon 29th June
Setting
Settingstandards
Standardsfor
for aa just
just world
world
Social Accountability International
• Convenes key stakeholders to develop
consensus-based voluntary social
standards
• Accredits qualified organizations to verify
compliance to standards
• Promotes understanding and
implementation of voluntary social
standards worldwide
Setting standards for a just world
Why Social Standards?
Workers seek decent workplaces and
sustainable jobs to support their families
Companies seek to gain a competitive
advantage and financial benefits through
better social practices
Governments seek to promote
economic development which benefits all
members of society
Consumers seek to make informed
purchasing decisions
Setting standards for a just world
What is unique about
SA8000?
• Global
• Verifiable
• Applicable to any sector
• Developed by business, NGOs and
trade unions together
Setting standards for a just world
Assuring Humane Workplaces
• SA8000 is based on international norms:
– International Labor Organization conventions
– UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
the Convention on Rights of the Child.
• SA8000 embeds management systems
which ensure that improvements are
sustainable, not transient.
Setting standards for a just world
SA8000 Core Elements
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No Child Labor
No Forced Labor
Health & Safety
Freedom of Association
Freedom from Discrimination
Disciplinary Practices Restricted
Work Hours
Compensation to Meet Basic Needs
Management System for Continuous
Improvement
Setting standards for a just world
SA8000 Impact
Certifications now cover
nearly 234,000 workers
in 39 countries and 39
industries
Setting standards for a just world
Who Benefits from Improved
Labor Standards?
Workers
• Increased skills through training
• Fewer on-the-job injuries and workrelated health problems
• Improved communications with
employers to improve workplace
• Opportunity to organize and bargain
collectively
Setting standards for a just world
Who Benefits from Improved
Labor Standards?
Suppliers
• Improved management systems for
more cost effective and reliable
operations
• Expanded access to foreign markets
• Reduced worker absenteeism and
turnover
Setting standards for a just world
Who Benefits from Improved
Labor Standards?
Buyers
• More effective and reliable supply chain
• Measurable corporate social
responsibility track record
• Improved employee recruitment,
retention and performance
• Better risk management
Setting standards for a just world
SAI In Action: Overview
• Accredits certification bodies
• Trains SA8000 auditors and
implementers
• Fosters local capacity
• Engages global buyers, local trade
unions, NGOs, industry associations
and government agencies
Setting standards for a just world
SAI Around the World
North America
US
Mexico
Europe and the Middle East
Belgium
Poland
Czech Republic Portugal
Denmark
Romania
Finland
Slovenia
France
Spain
Germany
Sweden
Greece
Switzerland
Hungary
Syria
Italy
Turkey
Netherlands
UK
Central and
South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Guatemala
Honduras
Peru
Asia
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
Laos
Malaysia
Pakistan
Philippines
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam
Africa
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Mauritius
South Africa
Setting standards
for a just world
SAI Offices
SAI In Action: Training
SAI has carried out training in 30
countries on five continents
In 2003 alone SAI reached nearly
2,000 people through its courses for
workers, facility managers and
auditors
SAI offers:
Worker and Manager Training
Auditor Training
Supplier Training
Custom Training
Setting standards for a just world
SAI In Action: China
Program Goals:
– Improve workplace conditions, working
with local managers and workers.
– Promote worker participation, free
association & participatory management
systems.
– Address women workers’ needs.
– Build capacity locally among emerging
independent worker rights groups.
Setting standards for a just world
SAI In Action: Vietnam
Program goals:
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Promote the rule of law.
Demonstrate benefits of implementing
standards
Foster local capacity and expertise to
sustain workplace improvements
Assure the integrity of SA8000
certifications
Setting standards for a just world
SAI In Action: Guatemala
Program Goals:
To contribute to sustainable economic
development in Guatemala by promoting:
– A culture of corporate social
responsibility
– Compliance with internationally
recognized labor standards
Setting standards for a just world
SAI In Action
Social Accountability in Sustainable Agriculture
Program goals:
– To develop global, harmonized guidelines for
social, environmental and fair trade auditing
& standard setting in agriculture
– To explore joint certifications, integrated
audits and complimentary training systems
Setting standards for a just world
SAI’s Partners
Brands
– Gap, Timberland, Toys R Us, Eileen Fisher,
Chiquita, Dole, Coop
Trade Unions
– International Textile, Garment and Leather
Workers’ Federation
– Union Network International
NGOs
– CARE USA, Rainforest Alliance, COVERCO,
Chinese Working Women’s Network, Institute for
Contemporary Observation
Government Agencies
– US Department of State, USAID, HIVOS,
European Commission
Setting standards for a just world
Contact Us
Social Accountability International
220 East 23rd Street
Suite 605
New York, NY 10010
1-212-684-1414 (phone)
1-212-684-1515 (fax)
[email protected]
www.sa-intl.org
Setting standards for a just world