2 replies to this topic

[Farhin]

Hello friends!

My question is, Pakistan is a third world country and our industrialist have no ideas about Social compliances & SA 8000, and our buyer requirements K-mart, Wrap, SA 8000 so what should we do for this ?

[Wallace Tait]

Farhin,
Don't down your country as being a third world country.
I have to say that implementing SA 8000 is the only answer if this is a customer requirement. SA 8000 isn't a statutory requirement yet, I frimly believe that this standard shall be merged with the ISO 9001 standard in the near future. Your organization may wisely choose to implement the voluntary requirements according to the social constraints of your particular society.

A side bar to the SA 8000 standard may be, in the case of Pakistan, an issue regarding Islamic laws relating to social accountability.
Just my opinion of course.
Wallace

[Charles Chew]

Farhin,

Wallace is right. Categorisation of world type is man-made perhaps, to suit political agenda.

I had asked Simon on this issue before and I am in the midst of doing an SA-8000 program.

You will need to built your manual on these overall areas:
1. GENERAL PRACTICES
- Social Compliances Implementations
- Subcontrating contracts

2. WORKPLACE PRACTICES
- Safety & Health (OHSAS or ISO 18000 equivalent)
- Emergency Planning
- Issue concerning Environmetal Protection

3. HIRING PRACTICES
- Employment Policies - Documentation and Record-Keeping
- Age Requirement

4. EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
- Working hours
- Wage and Benefits
- Forced LAbour
- Discriminations
- Disciplinary Practices
- Freedom of Associaiton

5. ON-SITE WORKER LIVING PRACTICES
- Living Quarters
- Food Services

By and larger, the above will cover all the major areas that you will need to look into in implementing your SA-8000. Implementing SA-8000 by your customers as a criteria to be an approved supplier will help you and your peers enjoy better employment terms, ensuring females get a fair deal, fair pay and working environment etc. Though, I am not too sure why SA-8000 when other standards are available but I am not allowed to make offensive remarks, therefore, I shall notmake further statements on this.

Hope the above helps.

Cheers,
Charles Chew