SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

INTRODUCTION

SA8000
ABOUT SA8000

 SA8000 Standard
 Social Accountability International Standard 8000
Published by CEPAA in 1997 and the Guidelines
published in 1999.

(CEPAA - Council on Economic Priorities Accreditation

Agency now named as Social Accountability International) For
more details visit site www.cepaa.org

 Standard is based on Principals of Eleven

Conventions of ILO (Available at site www.ilo.org)
(ILO - International Labour Organization)
 ABOUT SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
INTERNATIONAL

 SAI is a human rights organization founded

in 1996 that seeks to improve workplaces
and communities around the world by
developing and implementing socially
responsible standards.
STAKEHOLDERS

Media Shareholders

Unions Supply Chain

WORKERS
NGOs Consumers

Cert.Bodies Brokers

Human Rights Group Government

 AIMS OF SA8000
 Promotes CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT of
Workplace Conditions

 Encourages BUYERS to work with SUPPLIERS to

implement Social Accountability Policy (SAP)

 Brings INCREASED AWARENESS in Management,

Employees & Suppliers

Continued
AIMS OF SA8000

 Brings CONCEPTS OF REMEDIAL ACTIONS

related to requirements of SA8000

 Identifying OPPORTUNITIES FOR

IMPROVEMENTS

 Brings STABLE GLOBAL BUSINESS

Environment
SA8000 ADDRESSES
WORK PLACE CONDITION IMPROVEMENTS
Through
 Child Labour Discrimination

Disciplinary Practices
 Forced Labour
Working Hours
 Health & Safety
Remuneration
 Freedom of Association & Management Systems
Collective Bargaining
BENEFITS OF SA8000
 Significant Improvements in Working Conditions

Leading to

 Improved Staff Morale

 Fewer Accidents
 Better Reputation
 Greater Consumer & Investor Confidence
 Enhanced Product Quality
BENEFITS OF SA8000
 Common for Company & Suppliers
 Fall in Rate of Absenteeism
 Increased Commitment
 Better Relationship with Trade Unions &
Stake Holders
 Reduced Worker Compensation Claims
 Opportunities for Product Differentiation
based on good workplace Conditions
BENEFITS OF SA8000
 For Workers

 Improve their Day-to-day Situation

 Longer Term Employment Prospects

 Their Health, Safety & Welfare Improved

Leading to

 Fundamental Freedom of Employees

 Opportunities for Advancement within Workplace

CHILD LABOUR
 SA8000 Requirements
 SA8000 - 1.1
 Shall not engage in or support the use of CHILD LABOUR
 SA8000 - 1.2
 Establish, document, maintain, and effectively
communicate to personnel and other interested
parties policies related to
 Procedures for remediation of children found to be
working in situations
 Provide adequate support to enable such children to
attend and remain in school until no longer a child
FORCED LABOUR
 SA8000 Requirements
 SA8000 - 2.1
 Shall not engage in or support :

 Use of FORCED LABOUR,

 Personnel required to lodge ‘DEPOSITS’
or
 To lodge IDENTITY PAPERS upon
commencing employment
HEALTH & SAFETY
 SA8000 Requirements
 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
THE RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING
 SA8000 Requirements
respect the right to form and join
trade unions and bargain collectively;
where law prohibits these freedoms,
facilitate parallel means of association
and bargaining
5.0 - DISCRIMINATION
 SA8000 Requirements
no discrimination based on race, caste, origin,
religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation,
union or political affiliation, or age; no sexual
harassment
DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES
 SA8000 Requirements
no corporal punishment, mental or
physical coercion or verbal abuse
WORKING HOURS
 SA8000 Requirements
 SA8000 - 7.1

 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
8.0 - REMUNERATION
 SA8000 Requirements
 SA8000 - 8.1

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;
MONEY
no disciplinary deductions