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Social Accountability International

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

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Social Accountability International

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  1. Social Accountability International Setting standards for a just world Marisa Parmigiani, Lisbon 29th June Setting Standards for a just world

  2. 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

  3. Why Social Standards? Workersseek 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

  4. What is unique about SA8000? • Global • Verifiable • Applicable to any sector • Developed by business, NGOs and trade unions together

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. SA8000 Impact Certifications now cover nearly 234,000 workers in 39 countries and 39 industries

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. SAI Around the World Europe and the Middle East Belgium PolandCzech Republic PortugalDenmark RomaniaFinland SloveniaFrance SpainGermany SwedenGreece SwitzerlandHungary SyriaItaly TurkeyNetherlands UK Asia LaosMalaysiaPakistanPhilippinesSingaporeSri LankaTaiwanThailandVietnam BangladeshChinaIndiaIndonesiaJapanKorea North America USMexico Central and South America Africa Argentina Brazil Chile Costa Rica Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Peru Ghana Kenya Lesotho Mauritius South Africa SAI Offices

  13. SAI In Action: Training SAI has carried out training in 30 countries on five continentsIn 2003 alone SAI reached nearly 2,000 people through its courses for workers, facility managers and auditors SAI offers:Worker and Manager TrainingAuditor TrainingSupplier TrainingCustom Training

  14. 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.

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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) info@sa-intl.org www.sa-intl.org

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