News from Social Accountability International

SAI is headquartered in the United States with field representation in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Switzerland, and UAE.

SAI- Human Rights at Work
Website: www.sa-intl.org

For newsletter inquiries contact:SAI Communications Manager- Joleen Ong, jong@sa-intl.org

Building a Complaints Management System at a Banana Farm

After Four Years of Project Cultivar, Finca Laguna Salada organic banana farm converts from word of mouth to a record-keeping system for complaints

Snapshots from Finca Laguna Salada banana farm in the Dominican Republic. From left: The farm's packaging supervisor Fanny Garcia proudly exhibits the high quality organic bananas washed and sorted; Gonela Gue, Manager of Personnel and Certification, developed the farm's first complaints management system. Unresolved complaints have fallen by two-thirds in the last two years; this Haitian migrant worker demonstrates the last phase of the packaging process. [Source: Eliza Wright]

A core message conveyed through SAI's Project Cultivar: Advancing Labor Rights in Agriculture in the CAFTA-DR region is that compliance with labor standards leads to stronger internal communication and improved internal resolution of complaints - both key factors for increased productivity and competitiveness.

Finca Laguna Salada, an organic banana farm located in the mountainous region of Mao, Valverde Province in the Dominican Republic, exemplifies how this core message can be implemented through establishing a complaints management system (CMS). This farm has participated in Project Cultivar since 2008. Laguna Salada learned tools and techniques to help convert its former word of mouth CMS to a formal record keeping system. Previously there was no way to track the status of a complaint's resolution or lack thereof, how long it took to fix, or how often the problem recurred. The record keeping system and increased understanding of labor rights among the workers and the manager led to improved relations >>Read more

This article was written by SAI Development Manager, Eliza Wright. For more information, contact SAI Senior Manager Matt Fischer-Daly at MDaly@sa-intl.org .

Social Dialogue in China: 'WE II Project' Training in 4 Factories

Improving internal communication, worker negotiations, and addressing forced labor through social dialogue

Worker and management representatives of one of the factories practice a theoretical face-to-face dialogue to address a sensitive issue.

On July 18 to July 22, 2011, as part of the "WE II Project" development partnership (PPP) by Tchibo GmbH and GIZ, WE II Project trainer Harrison Xu and the other team members led factory trainings across four factories in China's Yangtze River Delta region to facilitate dialogue between workers and managers on workplace issues. Sixty-one workers and 22 managers participated in these trainings at four factories which produce garden crafts, garments, hats and candles. They are all suppliers to Tchibo GmbH.

The training focused on three main topics: worker communications and improving internal workplace dialogue; negotiation; and proactive practices to ensure against forced labor. The training was part of the third round of factory visits in the WE II Project. For the WEII Project from 2010 to 2012, there will have been a total of 6 factory visits and 4 workshops. The main goals for Mr. Xu and his Shanghai-based group of trainers were to guide the worker representatives and management representatives to help all of the factory's workers and managers understand the core definition of forced labor, connect it with their own experiences, and implement practices to ensure against forced labor. >>Read more

For more information, project learnings and trainer database, please visit www.we-socialquality.com. For more information, contact SAI Senior Manager, Matt Fischer-Daly at MDaly@sa-intl.org.

"Behind the Seams" Gap Inc. Releases New Report

The comprehensive online report includes section about its efforts to improve its Supply Chain and use of certification programs

Watch a video that takes a look inside the report. [Source: Gap Inc.]

On August 22, SAI Signatory Corporate Program member Gap Inc. released its fifth Social and Environmental Responsibility Report, detailing its efforts and progress from 2009-2010.

Released online, this report highlights its collaborative work to improve its supply chain, including its work with SAI's Social Fingerprint® Program to help its vendors measure, and then improve upon meeting standards.

"We're encouraging vendors producing Gap Inc. branded apparel, across a number of origins, to use Social Accountability International's Social Fingerprint^® Training Center...this tool complements our ongoing efforts to encourage our suppliers to adopt SAI's SA8000^® certification..."

Two 'Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives' interviews, with SAI President Alice Tepper Marlin and ETI Executive Director Peter McAllister were included in the report. The interview with Ms. Tepper Marlin focused on SAI's multi-stakeholder efforts to improve global supply chains, and our collaborative work with Gap Inc. Mr. McAllister's interview focused on ETI's work in this field, and challenges and issues that they face. >>Read more

Read Gap Inc.'s full report and interview with Alice Tepper Marlin. For more information, contact SAI Communications Manager, Joleen Ong at JOng@sa-intl.org.

Responsible Business in India: "The Missing Variable"

SAI's Rishi Singh participates in a panel discussion about CSR initiatives' opportunities and threats in emerging markets

SAI's India Project Manager, Rishi Singh speaks at the Prakruthi-hosted event "The Missing Variable" in Bangalore India. [Source: Rishi Singh]

On August 11, Rishi Singh participated on a panel discussion at the CSR Seminar, "The Missing Variables" in Bangalore, India. The event was hosted by local Indian NGO Prakruthi. The event focused on CSR and Responsible Business in India, focusing on the 'missing variables' - the new strategies and tools required to harness the positive potential contribution of business to development issues such as poverty and social exclusion.

Over 40 attendees representing NGOs, trade unions, companies, and government agencies working at the interface of CSR and Responsible Business Initiatives in India, including GIZ, Solidaridad India, BMS-Trade Union, Bombay Rayon, and Gap Inc. During the event, achievements, limitations, and dilemmas inherent in CSR and pro-poor business models were discussed, particularly in terms of how to empower producers to incorporate and sustain these models. >>Read more

Learn more about SAI's RAGS Project in India at www.sa-intl.org/indiarags. For more information, contact Rishi Singh, India Project Manager at RSingh@sa-intl.org .

SAI and China National Textile & Apparel Council Sign Agreement
Beijing-based CNTAC and SAI will work to improve the implementation of sustainability in workplaces

The China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) and Social Accountability International (SAI) are pleased to announce they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperative work.

Sharing the objectives of improving working conditions and promoting social dialogue in workplaces of the textile and apparel sector and beyond, the organizations have identified five areas of possible cooperation. They will start their cooperative activities by jointly convening and facilitating a meeting of the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee in December 2011. This meeting builds on learnings from their previous one in 2010, and will be one of a series centering on the importance of building collaborative partnerships among participants-local and global companies, government, workers, social auditors and other stakeholders. >>Read more

View SAI's full press release. For more information, please contact SAI Communications Manager Joleen Ong at JOng@sa-intl.org.

2011 Supplier Workshops in India

As part of SAI's joint development partnership (PPP) in India, four supplier workshops Sept. - Nov. 2011

The Centre for Responsible Business, being established by the Strategic Alliance- "Scaling Up Indian CSR Initiatives" among GIZ, SAI and BSCI, announces the above trainings for suppliers in Delhi, Bangalore and Tirupur in 2011.

There are four workshop topics: Internal Auditing for Social Performance; Management Systems for Social Performance; Managing the Supply Chain for Social Performance; and Workplace Communications. The workshops will introduce participants to the key concepts and steps for companies to effectively assess and address their own social performance. The workshops will be conducted by CRB trainers, under the supervision of SAI Lead Trainers. >>Read more

For more information about SAI's Development Partnership (PPP) in India, visit www.sa-intl.org/indiappp. For inquiries, please contact SAI India Project Manager Rishi Singh at RSingh@sa-intl.org.

Getting Started with Social Fingerprint^®: Detroit, Michigan

SAI Authorized Representative Newport Consulting Leads Upcoming Course

October 28, 2011

Detroit, Michigan

Register for SAI's latest Social Fingerprint^® training course! Learn how to develop and implement management systems for improving labor standards performance in your company and in your supply chain. This course serves as one of the foundation courses for the Social Fingerprint^® Certified Trainer designation.

For more information, contact SAI Training Manager, Kate Critchell at KCritchell@sa-intl.org.

Highlights & Announcements

Participants of the SA8000^® Basic Auditor Training course in Dhaka, Bangladesh with SAI Trainers Sanjiv Singh and Badri Gulur. 21 participants, representing auditors, local companies, and certifying bodies, attended this 5-day course on August 16-20. [Source: Sanjiv Singh]

July 2011 Project Cultivar in REAL CARD Magazine SAI's local partner in Honduras, the Center for Human Development (CDH), published an article in the REAL CARD Magazine, highlighting its experience in coordinating social dialogue activities for Project Cultivar. Read it @bit.ly/qOHbNu

SAI Executive Director Eileen Kaufman

August 2011 SAI's Eileen Kaufman Interviewed by TSPN SAI's Executive Director was interviewed by the Trade Standards Practitioners Network, and featured in its August 2011 newsletter. Read it @bit.ly/mXLvYV

August 2011 A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Trade The English version of this guide, developed by ETI-Norway in early 2011, is now available for download. The guide provides guidance on how to work in a targeted and structured manner with ethical trade in global supply chains. Read it @bit.ly/om3W4D

August 16 Congratulations to "The Difference Makers" author Sandra Waddock Published by Greenleaf, Ms. Waddock's book has won the 2011 Social Issues in Management Book Prize. The book was released May 2008, and features a series of social entrepreneurs, including SAI's Alice Tepper Marlin. Read more @bit.ly/nAoRtd

August 17 Can CSR Ratings Help Improve Labour Practices? Released by the Maquila Solidarity Network and PODER, this paper examines the potential of rating systems to drive improvements in supply chain labor practices. SAI's Social Fingerprint^® Program was one of the initiatives highlighted. View the report @bit.ly/nQMH5Y

Participants at the UNGC Network- Bangladesh event discuss the principles of the UNGC in regards to its application in the Bangladesh ready made garment sector. [From left: 1) MD. Shahidullah Azim, Director of BGMEA/Managing Director of Classic Fashion Concept Ltd.; 2) MD. Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary of BGMEA; 3) Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), President of BGMEA/Managing Director of Onus Garments Ltd.; 4) Badri Gulur, Lead Trainer, SAI; 5) Shahamin S. Zaman- CEO, CSR Centre. [Photo: Shafiq R. Bhuiyan, CSR Centre]

August 24 UNGC Bangladesh Network Event on UNGC Principles & Social Fingerprint^®The CSR Centre, as a focal point of the UNGC and promoter of the UNGC Network in Bangladesh, organized a two-hour seminar to promote the principles of the UNGC and introduce SAI's Social Fingerprint Program^®. This seminar included the participation and partnership of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).