SA8000
is a global social accountability standard for decent working
conditions, developed and overseen by Social Accountability
International (SAI). It is based on the
UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on
the Rights of the Child and various International Labour
Organization (ILO) conventions. SA8000 covers
the following areas of accountability:
- Child labour:
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
- Forced labour:
No forced labour, including prison or debt bondage labour;
no lodging of deposits or identity papers by employers
or outside recruiters
- Workplace safety
and health: 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
- Freedom of Association
and Right to Collective Bargaining: Respect the right
to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively
- Discrimination:
No discrimination based on race, caste, origin, religion,
disability, gender, sexual orientation, union or political
affiliation, or age; no sexual harassment
- Discipline: No
corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or
verbal abuse
- 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
- Remuneration:
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
- Management system
for Human Resources: Facilities seeking to gain and
maintain certification must go beyond simple compliance
to integrate the standard into their management systems
and practices.
Members
and certifications
Social
Accountability International (SAI) Corporate Program Members
include Gap, Otto Group, Tchibo, TNT, Carrefour, Timberland,
Gucci, Billabong, Anvil and Eileen Fisher. SAI Advisory
Board members come from Care, Ethos Institute, Tata Group,
TNT, Gap Inc, Tchibo, Switcher, Chiquita, Solidaridad, Carrefour,
Union Network International, UFCW, and Eileen Fisher.
As
of June 30, 2008, roughly 900,000 workers are employed in
1700 facilities certified to SA8000, in 64 countries and
61 industrial sectors. The industrial sectors with
the most certifications include apparel and textiles; building
materials; agriculture; construction; chemicals; cosmetics;
cleaning services and transportation. The countries with
the most certification to SA8000 include Brazil, India,
China and Italy.
Significance
Dominic
A. Tarantino, Chairman of Price Waterhouse World Firm described
SA8000 in 1998 as "the first ever universal standard
for ethical sourcing... It provides a common framework for
ethical sourcing for companies of any size and any type,
anywhere in the world. SA8000 sets out provisions for issues
such as trade union rights, the use of child labour, working
hours, health and safety at work, and fair pay." However,
it does not address broader issues of ecology or bribery
or other issues which may require more consumer or executive
restraint. Tarantino further argued the need for moral leadership:
"Pricing,
products and services are no longer the sole arbiters of
commercial success... it is business that must take the
lead in taming the global frontier. Business must take the
lead in establishing rule of law in emerging markets. Business
must take the lead in stopping bribery. Business must take
the lead in bringing order to cyberspace. Business must
take the lead in ensuring that technology does not split
the world into haves and have nots."
Call
Jordan Business Systems today and discuss how best to make
your organisation socially accountable