1. Setting standards for a just world
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?
Workers seek 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 Poland Czech Republic Portugal Denmark Romania Finland Slovenia France Spain Germany Sweden Greece Switzerland Hungary Syria Italy Turkey Netherlands UK
Asia
Bangladesh China India Indonesia Japan Korea
Laos Malaysia Pakistan Philippines Singapore Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Vietnam
North America
US Mexico
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 continents In 2003 alone SAI reached nearly 2,000 people through its courses for workers, facility managers and auditors
SAI offers: Worker and Manager Training Auditor Training Supplier Training Custom 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 Program goals:
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 Trade Unions NGOs Government Agencies
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. Social Accountability International
Contact Us
Social Accountability International
220 East 23rd Street
Suite 605
New York, NY 10010
(phone)
(fax)