Social Accountability International AIMS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS Setting Standards for a just world VIJAY GARG

SA8000 SA8000 System Complaints Process Appeals Process Examples and Dilemmas

Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Board  Voluntary System  SA8000 based on the principles of: UDHR, CRC, CEDAW 12 ILO Conventions  Implementation draws on ISO management systems

Continuous Stakeholder Engagement Continuous input through multi- stakeholder AB and their constituents Respond to system level critiques Seek comments on and redraft SA8000 every 5 years Collaborative research on best practice implementation and auditing Consultations and revisions to Guidance

SA8000 Covers Right to organize and bargain collectively Discrimination Child Labor Forced Labor Health & Safety Disciplinary Practices Working Hours Compensation Management System

MANAGING CONFORMANCE Plan, Do, Check, Act Model Overtime Hours exceeding limit Children hired in error Suppliers not conforming to requirements Health and safety concerns – use of protective gear Wages don’t meet the BNW Supervisory excesses on floor Discrimination

SA8000 Impact  881 facilities certified; covering over 510,000 workers in 50 countries, across 57 industries.  Thousands of facilities have been audited to the SA8000 standard & are working toward compliance.  SAI Corporate Involvement Program engages brand level commitment

Move beyond endemic problems SA Program in China Goals: –Improve workplace conditions, working with local managers and workers. –Promote worker participation, freedom of association & participatory management systems. –Build capacity locally among emerging independent worker rights groups.

Complaints Process 3 Levels: Factory; Certification body; SA No reprisals against complainant How to file: –Anyone can file a complaint –No required format; forms available to guide –Complainants name can be kept confidential –Resolution reported to complainant –SAI resolutions made public

Complaints Process Cont. Recognize receipt of complaint – formal and informal – to complainant Verify name of locale, dates, incident specifics Contact certification body and review audit notes and process If complaint substantiated, instruct CB to investigate at their expense Review reports from CB and resolution –Track corrective actions agreed in resolution If not substantiated – request more information and schedule witness audit of CB at workplace in question within a year

Appeals Process Taking a complaint to the next level; –if dissatisfaction with a decision by a CB; –SAI intervenes (SAI may also intervene if CB investigation or resolution is insufficient). SA convenes multi-stakeholder Appeals Review Panel from SAI – AB to review the case Objections to SA Appeal resolution – report to SAI Advisory Board and made public

Questions & Dilemmas Interpreting “good faith“ –Protracted legal battles Find the right field investigators –Ability to investigate complaint in the context of problems endemic to that country Set appropriate expectations –Can’t reverse court decisions Indonesia garment factory Confidentiality and Communicating results –Public reports = incentive for company to find amicable resolution

Questions & Dilemmas Brand level involvement –Define Scope –Clarify expectations –Define clear, finite process for engaging 3 rd party investigation and involvement –Multi-stakeholder AB oversight and decision –Consider outside mediators