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Social Accountability International. Setting standards for a just world. Marisa Parmigiani, Lisbon 29th June. Setting Standards for a just world. Social Accountability International. Convenes key stakeholders to develop consensus-based voluntary social standards - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Setting standards for a just world
Social Accountability International
Setting standards for a just world
Setting Standards for a just world
Marisa Parmigiani, Lisbon 29th June
Setting standards for a just 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
Governments seek to promote economic development which benefits all members of society
Companies seek to gain a competitive advantage and financial benefits through better social practices
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
• 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 work-
related 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
USMexico
Argentina Brazil Chile Costa Rica Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Peru
Belgium Poland Czech Republic PortugalDenmark RomaniaFinland Slovenia France SpainGermany SwedenGreece Switzerland Hungary Syria Italy Turkey Netherlands UK
Ghana Kenya Lesotho Mauritius South Africa
Laos MalaysiaPakistanPhilippinesSingaporeSri LankaTaiwanThailandVietnam
North America
Central and South America
Europe and the Middle East
Africa
Asia
SAI Offices
BangladeshChinaIndiaIndonesiaJapanKorea
Setting standards for a just world
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 TrainingSupplier TrainingCustom 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:– 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
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
Social Accountability in Sustainable Agriculture
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)
www.sa-intl.org
