What's Your Social Fingerprint�?
Measure and improve how you touch the world. Includes ratings and 90 tips from SAI Lead Trainers.
Great for brands to use with their suppliers or for suppliers to use on their own.
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Upcoming Training Events
SA8000�:2008 Standard Training Revision Course Ongoing- Web-based
SA8000� Basic Auditor Training June 6-10, New Delhi, India
June 6-10, Ningbo, China June 27-July 1, Lisbon, Portugal
SA8000� Advanced Auditor Training
June 22-24, Dongguan, China
June 26-28, Dhaka, Bangladesh
July 13-15, New York, NY
Professional Development Series
Sept 22-23, Portland, OR
Full training schedule |
Survey on SA8000� in Your Supply Chain
Gain free access to the SAI Handbook: Implementing a Socially Responsible Supply Chain
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Social Accountability International (SAI) is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established to advance the human rights of workers by promoting decent work conditions, labor rights, and corporate social responsibility through voluntary standards.
SAI is headquartered in the United States with field representation in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Switzerland, and UAE.
For newsletter inquiries contact:SAI Communications Manager- Joleen Ong, jong@sa-intl.org |
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 SAI Annual Report 2010
Released on its 14th Anniversary, highlights 'Human Rights at Work'
SAI's Annual Report features stories from our programs and highlights our accomplishments and challenges in Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India and Nicaragua as we and our partners work to advance the human rights of workers. "What's Your Social Fingerprint�?" SAI's Social Fingerprint� Program helps companies to 'measure and improve' their mark on the world. See encouraging preliminary results from Carrefour's and Timberland's participation.
Cholera Prevention: As the epidemic in Haiti spread to its neighboring country, SAI's Project Cultivar team worked with sugarcane and banana farms and the government in the Dominican Republic to implement effective cholera prevention at workplaces. At the time of this publication, no cases were reported on the participating farms. Scaling Up Indian Responsible Business Initiatives: Two interrelated development partnerships in India respond to the country's growing CSR movement and demand for training. They bring together key partners: Timberland, ETI-UK with its National Homeworkers Group, Gap Inc., Tchibo GmbH, PGC Switcher, GIZ, DFID, BSCI, and Prakruthi.
Spotlight on Corporate Programs Members: - Anvil Knitwear becomes the first U.S.-based company to sign on to the 'Cotton Made in Africa' initiative
- Eileen Fisher details its inspiring visit inside its distinguished SA8000� certified supplier Ho Fai Garment in China
- Gap Inc. works with the Impression Apparel factory in El Salvador to improve working conditions
Three Principles for Labor Rights Compliance: After four successful years of Project Cultivar, this USDOL-funded project achieved significant results through its three principle strategies: - Strengthen local leadership
- Build capacity of workers, managers and labor inspectors
- Facilitate social dialogue.
As SAI scales up, we refer to the growing spirit of social enterprise that initially tapped us 14 years ago. Over 1.4 million workers are employed in SA8000�-certified facilities, across 65 industrial sectors. SAI's multi-stakeholder approach underpins our commitment to advancing human rights at work. Read SAI's 2010 Annual Report: http://www.sa-intl.org/AR2010 For more information, contact Joleen Ong, Communications Manager at JOng@sa-intl.org. Back to top |
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SAI's Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Board Convenes in NYC
Over 25 Board Members Participate to Discuss Strategic Issues for Scaling Up and Increasing Impact
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SAI Advisory Board, meeting observers and participating staff: [Clockwise from top left: Matt Fischer-Daly, SAI; Pierre Hauselman, Pi Environmental Consulting; David Zweibel, NCLC; Thomas DeLuca, CCI Consulting; Achim Lohrie, Tchibo GmbH; Morton Winston, TCNJ; Darryl Knudsen, Gap Inc.; Edwin Koster, SAI-NL; Craig Moss, SAI; Erik Detiger, SAI; Alan Spaulding, UFCW; Erico Da Gama Torres, Andrade Gutierrez; Steven Oates, SAI-Europe; Rishi Singh, SAI-India; Salah Husseini, SAAS; Eileen Kaufman, SAI; Christie Daly, SAI; Rochelle Zaid, SAAS; Joleen Ong, SAI; Jane Hwang, SAI; Dorianne Beyer, NCLC; Ivano Corraini, FILCAMS-CGIL; Alice Tepper Marlin, SAI; Amy Hall, Eileen Fisher; Anant Nadkarni, TCCI; Carole De Montgolfier, Carrefour; Jane Liu, SAI-China; Eliza Wright, SAI; Marieke Weerdesteijn, Solidaridad. |
On May 3-5, SAI's multi-stakeholder Advisory Board convened for its semi-annual meeting at the Foundation for the UN Global Compact in New York, bringing together a diverse group of experts that represent businesses, trade unions, and NGOs. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss strategic issues for scaling up and increasing impact. One key decision was to continue to expand the scope of Social Fingerprint� with modules on environment, integrity (anti-corruption), animal welfare, and community. The first such module was developed with Chiquita, covering such issues in tropical agriculture. More than 25 board members and observers arrived in New York from a wide array of locations, including India, Germany, Italy, and Brazil.
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Achim Lohrie (second from left), Advisory Board Chair and Head of CSR at Tchibo GmbH, facilitates a discussion about SAI's projects in India. [From left: Rishi Singh, SAI; Achim Lohrie, Tchibo GmbH; Christie Daly, SAI; Alice Tepper Marlin, SAI; Rafael Barerra, SAI; Tom DeLuca, CCI Consulting.] |
"It is inspiring to see such a dynamic, multi-stakeholder group convene on important decisions," said Achim Lohrie, Chair of SAI's Advisory Board and Head of CSR at Tchibo GmbH, "although the differences in opinion may have its challenges, we are all cooperative and the difference in perspectives truly delivers an optimal outcome."
Mr. Lohrie facilitated the meeting, where board members, SAI staff, and invited observers took part in listening and participating in presentations on new ventures, partnerships, and advances in SAI's work since the previous board meeting in Mumbai in November 2010. The Advisory Board, whose technical expertise helps to inform SAI's leadership, came together to discuss issues that focused on how SAI can continue to deliver on its goals to scale up, increase impact, and increase effectiveness, as outlined in its five-year plan.
Some of the key strategic issues on the items on the agenda for discussion included:
- SAI Global Field Staff: Scaling up in key countries and deepening alliances
- Scope of Social Fingerprint�: Increasing impact and effectiveness through proposed expansion of its scope beyond labor, and exploring the demand, cost, and feasibility of developing a new standard
- SAAS Accreditation: Improving quality and measuring impact of SA8000� audits
- Communications & Development: Presentation of the 2010 Annual Report; Increasing income and visibility through enhanced systems
SAI was pleased to welcome observers to the Advisory Board meeting, including Colleen Von Haden, Senior Manager- Code of Conduct at Timberland, and Erico da Gama Torres, Director of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Management Systems at Construtora Andrade Gutierrez, one of the largest Brazilian construction companies.
Ms. Von Haden presented on Timberland's Sustainable Living Environment (SLE) Program, which engages workers in identifying and goes beyond factory walls to ensure basic needs for workers such as health clinics and access to safe water and improved sanitation. The needs of the SLE program are determined by working at the supplier factory level to understand what infrastructure is available inside and outside the factory, identify where gaps exist, and efficiently fill them.
Mr. da Gama Torres delivered a presentation on Construtora Andrade Gutierrez's corporate social responsibility programs. This Brazil-based company is SA8000� certified, and is among the largest heavy construction companies in Latin America. Mr. da Gama Torres serves as a member of the SAAS (Social Accountability Accreditation Services) Board of Directors.
The next Advisory Board meeting will convene in Florence, Italy, in October 2011, graciously hosted by SAI Corporate Program member, Gucci. We are grateful to Gucci and Rossella Ravigli, Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility Manager at Gucci and member of SAI's Advisory Board, for their support.
For more information, contact Joleen Ong, SAI Communications Manager at JOng@sa-intl.org.
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Sweetening the Deal: Azucarera Porvenir Joins Project ELE Bringing the Benefits of Social Fingerprint� and Labor Rights Education to More in the Dominican Republic | | SAI's Project Manager Yolanda Brenes (middle) and CIAC's Executive Director Nicomedes Castro (second from left) stand with the proprietors of Azucarera Porvenir, S.R.L. after meetings about Project ELE and Social Fingerprint� |
On April 29, 2011, SAI signed a contract with Azucarera Porvenir, S.R.L., a newly-constructed sugarcane processing plant in the Dominican Republic, to participate in the USAID Program ELE, thereby increasing the number of stakeholders who stand to benefit from the company's demonstrated commitment to building a healthy and just working environment for its workers and the community at large.
As highlighted in the March 2011 newsletter, USAID recognized SAI's performance in the promotion of labor law compliance among workers and managers in the Dominican sugarcane industry with an extension to continue its work as an implementing partner of USAID Program ELE (Environment and Labor Excellence for CAFTA-DR). This contract with Azucarera Porvenir was the result of a series of meetings with sugarcane processing companies in late April 2011. SAI's Project Manager Yolanda Brenes and Nicomedes Castro, President of local partner CIAC (the Center for Cultural Research and Support), to encourage company participation in the second phase of Program ELE. During their presentations, Ms. Brenes introduced the benefits of SAI's Social Fingerprint� Program, as a tool that helps companies measure and improve internal management systems to ensure compliance with labor norms and continually improve the workplace.
Working conditions in the sugarcane industry in the Dominican Republic are infamously harsh and controversial. These workers, 80-90% of them Haitian immigrants, work long days cutting a few tons of sugarcane for an average of US$3.40 per day, and lack critical social benefits such as health care and social security due to their legal status. SAI, under the USAID Program ELE, is working with sugar companies and their suppliers to improve labor conditions at the workplace.
Azucarera Porvenir showed interest in utilizing the Social Fingerprint� Program, and in improving their facility's systems, which required significant investment to begin operations. Maria Elena Targa, Institutional Relations Manager, Azucarera Porvenir, had participated in dialogue roundtables convened by SAI and CIAC during the first phase of the USAID ELE, where diverse stakeholders of the Dominican sugar industry discussed common issues, such as migration, social security, and prevention of cholera. In signing on to participate in SAI program under the USAID Program ELE, Ms. Targa expressed the enthusiasm of Porvenir to continue working with SAI and CIAC.
To date, in the USAID Program ELE, SAI has provided technical assistance and training for 8 agricultural workplaces in the Dominican Republic and Central America; the project will continue into the summer 2011.
Click here to learn more about Project ELE. For more information, contact Eliza Wright, Program Associate at EWright@sa-intl.org.
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Building Your Internal Social Performance Team
New Social Fingerprint� Course Provides Tools & Techniques to Lead Change
 Improving labor standards and working conditions requires an effective social performance team - a group of committed, trained people leading the effort. SAI's latest course, Social Fingerprint�: Building Your Internal Social Performance Team, will give you the tools and training needed to get it done. From team selection, to training, to empowering, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to lead positive change. Through this course, you will also learn the latest team building and change management techniques. SAI has partnered with the Rapid Results Institute to incorporate its proven 'Rapid Results Approach' to help you improve labor conditions in your company quickly and effectively. During the course, SAI's Director of Field Services, Doug DeRuisseau, will provide stories from the field to illustrate some of the challenges you may face, and how to overcome them while staying focused on the goals. All course participants will receive a 7-step guide that includes tools and forms to take immediate action. A test will be administered at the end of the course. Participants that earn a passing score will receive a Certificate of Successful Completion. This course is also a first step in a learning path towards developing you as a qualified Team Leader. For more information, contact Kate Critchell, Training Manager- KCritchell@sa-intl.org. Back to top |
'Cotton Made in Africa' Initiative's Positive Water Reduction
Research Finds CmiA's Sustainable Farming & Rainwater Usage Reduces Water-Use by 1,585 Gallons per T-Shirt
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Upcoming Cotton Made in Africa Webinars
June 15, 2011 - 12:00PM EDT Webinar on production, focusing on CSR benefits. >>Register now Presenter: Craig Moss (SAI) & Tina Stridde/Christian Barthel (CmiA) June 16, 2011 - 4:00PM EDT Webinar on sourcing, focusing on supply chain benefits >>Register now Presenter: Craig Moss (SAI) & Tina Stridde/Christian Barthel (CmiA) For more information about the CmiA Initiative: www.cottonmadeinafrica.org |
An independent study conducted by the WWF evidenced that the " Cotton made in Africa" (CmiA) initiative's sustainable farming techniques saves up to 1,585 gallons of water for the production of cotton needed per one t-shirt. This immense saving is derived from the fact that within the CmiA initiative, only rainwater is used for cotton production. The efficient use of rainwater is part of CmiA's sustainable farming techniques that are demonstrated during the training of smallholder cotton farmers within the CmiA initiative. Overall, the efficient and environmentally friendly farming practices introduced have tripled the yield, generating more income for the small farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa. Since March 2010, SAI has been the official US-based CmiA representative, introducing CmiA to American companies and helping them to start using the initiative's socially responsible cotton. In June 2011, CmiA and SAI will carry out two webinars for companies to learn more about how they can participate in this program. Participants will also learn how funding from the Gates Foundation has led to remarkable results thus far, and how it enables CmiA yarn to enter the supply chain at market price. For participating brands, such as Anvil Knitwear, CmiA provides a traceable source of cotton coming from 20 large spinning mills around the world. This Europe-based initiative is overseen by the Aid by Trade Foundation, an organization that aims to reduce poverty and promote economic development through market-based incentives. CmiA works in five African countries to help people help themselves through trade. The initiative is two-pronged: it supports cotton farmers on-site with training and social projects; and it continues to build its Demand Alliance of international textile companies that buy sustainably produced cotton and process it further for the global market. Over twenty major textile companies are already a part of the Alliance. Join the CmiA global sourcing network and benefit from cotton and yarn experts. For more information about the CmiA Initiative, visit http://www.cottonmadeinafrica.org For more information, contact Kate Critchell, SAI Training Manager at KCritchell@sa-intl.org.Back to top |
Responsible Jewellery Council & SAI Announce Partnership
SAI and RJC will Advance Responsible Business Practices With Training & Outreach 
On May 20, 2011, SAI and the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) announced their intent to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - to work cooperatively on training, industry outreach and standards harmonization. To kick off the working relationship, SAI and RJC will launch a supplier training program in India in the second half of 2011. The training will focus on using management systems to improve labor standards and working conditions. More details about the program will be released shortly.
RJC and SAI have common goals of supporting achievement of social compliance and responsible business practices. The MOU will formalize SAI and RJC's collaboration on:
- Industry Outreach: Joint promotion of responsible business practices to the jewelry supply chain.
- Training: Co-presentation of tailored training modules for companies seeking more detailed guidance on establishing systems and procedures for social compliance, featuring SAI's Social Fingerprint� Program and auditor training courses.
- Standards Harmonization: Initial comparative review of SA8000� and RJC Code of Practices identified significant overlap and opportunities to enhance alignment. The parties will work together in the context of RJC's 2012 standards review.
"SAI is very happy to be entering into a MOU with the RJC. Both organizations share the goal of improving working conditions and labor standards throughout the world. We believe that collaboration with RJC will scale up our impact in the jewelry supply chain," states SAI President, Alice Tepper Marlin.
"RJC shares SAI's enthusiasm for this new relationship between our organizations. Working together towards our common goals will strengthen our collective efforts towards responsible business practices in the jewelry supply chain. We are looking forward to the collaboration and the benefits it can bring to RJC Members and more broadly," says Michael Rae, RJC's Chief Executive Officer.
The RJC has grown rapidly to nearly 300 members since it was founded by 14 companies and trade associations in 2005. RJC's mission is to promote responsible business practices through the jewelry supply chain. The RJC's standards programs include Member Certification against the Code of Practices, which is compulsory for RJC Members, and was launched in 2009; and a voluntary Chain-of-Custody Standard which is currently under development. A unique strength of RJC's scope is that it covers the full jewelry supply chain, from mine to retail. This broad participation provides a platform for engaging in sector-wide issues ranging from social and ethical performance, conflict sources, to responsible mining.
For more information, please contact SAI Communications Manager, Joleen Ong- JOng@sa-intl.org
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Enroll in Global SA8000� Auditor Training Courses
 | | Photo above: Participants of the 5-day Basic Auditor Training Course in Copenhagen, Denmark (June 21-25, 2010). This course was led by SAI Lead Trainers- Badri Gulur (top right) and Dundar Sahin (bottom, second from left). |
SAI's Training Schedule: 2011 International Locations & Online Courses Available SAI's training courses are designed to encourage proficiency in social compliance issues and emphasize the implementation of management systems. Learn about a management-system approach to social compliance auditing and supply chain management. These courses are required for all SA8000� or BSCI auditors, but are also valuable for auditing to any labor code or standard. The courses are open, and aimed towards social auditors, buyers, suppliers and corporate compliance managers. |
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Highlights & Announcements
Tata Group: A Journey Towards an Ideal Published in 2010, this informative brochure brings together a host of information about the Tata Group, and its wide spectrum of initiatives in the communities where they operate. The brochure also features its partnerships, including with organizations such as Ashoka, SAI, the UNDP, and the UNGC.
>>Download the brochure [13.09 MB]
May 11- The Business Benefits of CSR SAI-NL Representative, Edwin Koster delivered a presentation to members of the European Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (EFIBCA) at their Open Meeting in Dusseldorf, Germany.
May 12- Thinking About Corporate Responsibility in 3D SAI's Social Fingerprint� Program was lauded in the Guardian's Sustainable Business Blog post about the evolving dimensions of CSR. Read it @bitly.com/lixEkL
May 13- Valore Sociale International Conference SAI Executive Director Eileen Kaufman was a featured speaker at the event, "Human Rights Risk Assessment: A Concrete Tool for CSR in International Supply Chains" in Milan, Italy.
May 13-17- Climate Ride from NYC to D.C. SAI Training Manager, Kate Critchell participated in this charitable bike ride with a group from Eileen Fisher to support a sustainable future.
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The Eileen Fisher (EF) group poses in front of the U.S. Capital Building with SAI training manager Kate Critchell after finishing a tremendous bike ride from NYC to DC. From left: Amy Hall (EF), Shona Quinn (EF), Kate Critchell (SAI), Janet Conde-Mancino (EF), Helene Obey (EF), Susan Barton (EF). |
May 24- Justmeans-Certification, Consumption & Change Conference In Washington D.C., SAI Senior Manager, Matt Fischer-Daly participated in this event- where he moderated a panel on Risk Management. May 25-26- Investing in Human Capital: Compliance with International Labor Standards SAI Director of Corporate Programs and Training will co-teach this two-day course at the American University in Cairo, Egypt with Mohamed El-Kalla, managing director of Cairo for Investment and Development. Back to top |
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