SA 8000 Certification

3Health & safety – One of the most important requirements of SA8000 standard is to minimize or remove the hazards at the work place. It is the duty of the company or an organization to take care of the health & safety of the employees. Some specific requirements include –

• Organization staff must be provided with appropriate protective equipment’s which includes gloves, hardhats, & respirators.
• An organization must offer staff clean toilet facilities, portable water & sanitary facilities for food storage absolutely free.
• An organization must access health risks for new, expectant and nursing mothers.

4Freedom of association & collective bargaining -Another requirement of SA8000 standard is that the workers should have the full right to organize trade unions of their choice and freely elect their own representatives. It also helps in protecting unions from discrimination and harassment.

5Discrimination – SA8000 standards helps workers and protects them from discrimination on the basis of origin, race, caste, gender, religion, political affiliation etc. Suppliers that meet this requirement have no right to interfere in the workers practices in relation to their religion. For ex- Prayer. Suppliers cannot allow abusive or threatening behavior at the workplace and also they cannot force the staff to take pregnancy or virgin tests.

6Disciplinary practices – In relation to this requirement of SA8000 standard, supplier should treat the workers with dignity & respect. This prohibits inhuman treatment, corporal punishment, threat or verbal abuse.

6Working hours – One of the most important requirements of SA8000 standard is that the suppliers should allow any one day rest to workers in the six consecutive working days. An exception to this is made for national laws which allow more worktime and agreements reached by collective bargaining. There are certain conditions set by SA8000 on overtime as well. Supplier must make overtime voluntary and overtime working hours should not exceed 12 hours per week.

7Remuneration – In this requirement of SA 8000 standard, supplier audit is done to ensure that supplier is paying living wages to the workers. Wages paid by supplier should cover the basic needs of the workers and allow discretionary income.

In relation to SA8000 standard, supplier has no right to hold or deduct the wages of workers on the basis of disciplinary reason unless permitted by national law or collective bargaining agreement. As per national law or collective bargaining agreement, supplier must reimburse workers for overtime at a premium rate.

8Management system – In order to make suppliers SA8000 compliant, management has to take certain steps regarding corrective actions, preventative measures, policies and documentation. This requirement of SA 8000 standard will meet the criteria in the following ways –

• Senior management must inform staff to comply with SA8000 with a written policy statement.
• Supplier must train the staff to implement the SA8000 standard.
• Supplier must set up a “social performance team program” to supervise the implementation of SA8000 standard and to identify and access risks.
• Supplier must appropriately document the agreement as well as implement the standards.
• Supplier must formulate a written grievance procedure for the workers that are confidential and non-retaliatory.