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| SA8000: SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
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| Introduction |
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SAI’s first social accountability system, SA8000, is a way for retailers, brand companies, suppliers and other organizations to maintain just and decent working conditions throughout the supply chain.
The SA8000 standard and verification system is a credible, comprehensive and efficient tool for assuring humane workplaces because it includes:
A standard that covers all widely-accepted international labor rights.
Factory-level management system requirement for ongoing compliance and improvement.
Independent, expert verification of compliance: Certification of facilities by auditing bodies accredited by SAI.
Involvement by all stakeholders: Participation by all key sectors, including workers and trade unions, companies, socially responsible investors, nongovernmental organizations and government, in the SA8000 system.
Public reporting: SA8000 certified facilities are posted on the SAI Web site. Companies that join level two of the SA8000 Corporate Involvement Program (CIP) release annual progress reports verified by SAI.
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| SA8000 Standard Elements |
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SA8000 is based on international workplace norms in the ILO conventions and the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on Rights of the Child.
1. Child Labor: No workers under the age of 15; minimum lowered to 14 for countries operating under the ILO Convention 138 developing-country exception; remediation of any child found to be working
2. Forced Labor: No forced labor, including prison or debt bondage labor; no lodging of deposits or identity papers by employers or outside recruiters
3. Health and Safety: Provide a safe and healthy work environment; take steps to prevent injuries; regular health and safety worker training; system to detect threats to health and safety; access to bathrooms and potable water
4. Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining: Respect the right to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; where law prohibits these freedoms, facilitate parallel means of association and bargaining
5. Discrimination: No discrimination based on race, caste, origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union or political affiliation, or age; no sexual harassment
6. Discipline: No corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse
7. Working Hours: Comply with the applicable law but, in any event, no more than 48 hours per week with at least one day off for every seven day period; voluntary overtime paid at a premium rate and not to exceed 12 hours per week on a regular basis; overtime may be mandatory if part of a collective bargaining agreement
8. Compensation: Wages paid for a standard work week must meet the legal and industry standards and be sufficient to meet the basic need of workers and their families; no disciplinary deductions
9. Management Systems: Facilities seeking to gain and maintain certification must go beyond simple compliance to integrate the standard into their management systems and practices
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| Benefits of SA8000 |
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Along with humane workplaces, the implementation of SA8000 offers more benefits to workers, companies and others:
Benefits for Workers, Trade Unions and NGOs:
• Enhanced opportunities to organize trade unions and bargain collectively.
• A tool to educate workers about core labor rights.
• Another opportunity to work directly with business on labor rights issues.
• Public awareness of companies committed to assuring humane working conditions.
Benefits for Business:
• Putting company values into action.
• Enhancing company and brand reputation.
• Improving employee recruitment, retention and performance.
• Better supply chain management and performance.
Benefits for Consumers and Investors:
• Clear and credible assurance for ethical purchasing decisions.
• Identification of products made ethically and companies committed to ethical sourcing.
• Broad coverage of product categories and production geography.
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