Survey on SA8000 in Your Supply Chain Take a quick survey and gain free access to SAI's Social Fingerprint™ Supply Chain Management Rating Course
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What's Your Social Fingerprint™?
Measure and improve how you touch the world. Includes ratings and 90 tips from SAI Lead Trainers.
Great for brands to use with their suppliers or for suppliers to use on their own.
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Invitation for SA8000 Certified Facilities
 Sign up for the SA8000 Supplier Database to help increase your business!
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Upcoming Training Events
SA8000:2008 Standard Training Revision Course Ongoing- Web-based
SA8000 Basic Auditor Training
April 4-8, Sao Paulo, Brazil
April 11-15, Bucharest, Romania
May 2-6, Istanbul, Turkey
SA8000 Advanced Auditor Training
April 6-8, Bucharest Romania
April 18-20 Shanghai, China
April 25-27, Dongguan, China
Full training schedule
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The Corporate Responsibility Code Book, 2nd Edition
 Click here to order a copy
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Social Accountability International (SAI) is a non-profit,
multi-stakeholder organization established to advance the human rights
of workers and the health of enterprises by promoting decent work
conditions, labor rights, and corporate social responsibility through
voluntary standards.
SAI is headquartered in the United States with field representation in Brazil, China, Egypt, India, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Turkey, Vietnam, and UAE.
For newsletter inquiries contact:
SAI Communications & Development Coordinator- Joleen Ong, jong@sa-intl.org |
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 Condolences to JapanAll of us at SAI wish to express our deep sympathy for Japan as the country and her citizens struggle with the triple impacts of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis, and to extend our heartfelt condolences for those who died. SAI has reached out to family, friends, and colleagues in the region, and hopes for their safety and resilience as they face the challenges ahead, including friends of our President, Alice Tepper Marlin, from the days when she was privileged to serve there as a Japan Society Senior Fellow. Japan's role as a key player in the global economy adds an additional complexity to the disaster, as production in some sectors around the world has slowed due to disrupted logistics and a decline in the quantity of materials exported by Japan. Rebuilding and maintaining operations within Japan is imperative to assist the victims and to assure stability of Japan's key role in our global economy. We applaud those contributing to government and humanitarian efforts with critical work on the ground, especially those courageous ones who brave extreme hazards inside the nuclear plants. We can only hope this disaster impels faster adaption of energy efficiency measures and alternate sources of energy.To support relief and humanitarian efforts in Japan, we recommend the following platforms for financial assistance: |
Report from Bangladesh: Keeping Workers Safe from Fire
SAI convenes a workshop in Dhaka, Bangladesh to discuss fire and occupational health and safety issues
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, nearly 100 people participated in a training workshop on fire safety and occupational health and safety, critical and relevant issues facing suppliers.  | One hundred years ago, on March 25, 1911, the fire and locked doors at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City resulted in the deaths of 146 workers, mostly very young immigrant women. This tragedy horrified the nation, catalyzed the introduction of workplace safety and fire prevention measures, and served as the impetus for U.S. worker protection laws. Today, deaths from factory fires are rare in the U.S, but nearly every week, a factory fire maims and kills workers in high-risk countries where our consumer goods are made. On March 7-11, SAI's Director of Corporate Programs & Training Craig Moss, and Senior Trainer Dundar Sahin led a fire safety training in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This is part of a joint project with the ITGLWF, sponsored by the MFA Forum. >>Read the full reportFor more information, please contact SAI Communications & Development Coordinator, Joleen Ong- JOng@sa-intl.org |
Dominican Republic: USAID Extends Work to Improve Sugarcane Sector
Extension of the CAFTA-ELE Program will continue labor standards training in the Dominican sugarcane industry
During a roundtable dialogue in November 2010, a sugarcane producer (left) discusses his views on labor inspection protocols with the DR's Ministry of Labor, as meeting participants Maximo Mercedes (center), Member of the Board of Directors of Colonos de Consuelo, listens intently.  | The USAID Environment and Labor Excellence for CAFTA-DR Program has recognized SAI's work with a grant to continue labor standards training for sugar companies and sugarcane producers in the Dominican Republic. The Program's extension of SAI's work reflects progress achieved. As an implementing partner of the Program, SAI will move forward to increase the
uptake of labor standards specifically in the Dominican Republic's sugarcane sector. To achieve this, SAI will continue to work with companies and producers to establish market
incentives and build the capacities of managers and workers to
continuously improve labor conditions. Participating companies will receive
technical assistance, including assessments of labor conditions and
improvement plans, as well as training for workers and managers on the
implementation of management systems for continuous improvement,
including critical components such as workplace communications and
grievance mechanisms. >>Read moreFor more information, contact Matt Fischer-Daly, Senior Manager at MDaly@sa-intl.org.
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Measure & Improve: Carrefour Vendor Development in India
Positive findings from Carrefour vendor survey indicate impact of SAI's Social Fingerprint™ Program Last month, SAI surveyed 60 Carrefour vendors in India about their progress in measuring and improving social performance using SAI's Social Fingerprint™ Program. Since 2010, SAI and Carrefour have worked closely with these vendors to build internal capacity and make improvements. Almost a third of the vendors were surveyed, with overwhelmingly positive feedback about their participation in the program. Some highlights: Experience & Quality of Program 96% agreed or strongly agreed that their participation has been valuable in helping to identify strengths and weaknesses 82% agree or strongly agree that this program was more helpful in providing guidance through tips, in comparison to other social compliance workshops and programs attended 91% agreed or strongly agreed that this technical assistance from SAI was effective 91% agreed or strongly agreed that the online system was easy to navigate and to use, especially concerning the technical aspects of the course >>Read more
Click here to take a video tour of SAI's Social Fingerprint™ Program For more information, please contact Kate Critchell, SAI Assistant Manager-Corporate Programs & Training at KCritchell@sa-intl.org. |
Snapshot from India: Bangalore Basic Auditor Training Course
February 28- March 4 2011, Bangalore India Participants gather at the end of the training course. Clockwise from top left: V.T. Arun Karthik, SGS India Private Limited; Yash Chaturvedi, FLO-CERT Gmbh; Jagadambal Shanmugam, Grace Associates; Pramitha Achaiah, SAI; Aparna Chetan, Sasken Communications; Kaushik Laha, Quality Austria Central Asia; Narasimha Rao Peddada, Det Norske Veritas; Dushala Ahluwalia, Mira Exim Ltd,; Sugumar Raman, FLO-CERT GmbH; Badri Gulur, SAI; Rishi Singh, SAI; Kiran Parmar, Excel Crop Care Ltd.; Manjula Srinath, K. Mohan & Co.
 | Participant feedback: "I have started as a observer in one of the SA 8000 client audits. The way it was taught by Badri [in the auditor course] helped me to understand the system in a more matured way. I am also a trainer and have done over 2200 days of auditing, but your methodology was really wonderful, and I now view auditing through a different perspective." - Kaushik Laha, Quality Austria Central Asia
Click here to view the 2011 Training Course Schedule
For more information, contact SAI India Project Director, Rishi Singh at Rishi@sa-intl.org.
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SA8000 Certification Statistics as of December 31, 2010 |
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Highlights & AnnouncementsThe UNGC Supply Chain Sustainability Committee convened in Mexico City on March 2-4 2011.  |
March 2-4- UNGC Supply Chain Sustainability Committee SAI's Executive Director Eileen Kaufman participated in this meeting in Mexico City; , which included representatives from the UNGC, BSR, Ford, Telenor, Arcelor Mittal, Cemex, STR-RS, Maersk and Hitachi, hosted by Restaurantes Toks . (See photo above) March 7- International Women's Day SAI observes the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day. Check out the blog post- "Supply Chain Sustainability on International Women's Day" written by Rachelle Jackson from STR-RS, following her participation in the above noted meeting @ http://bit.ly/gW39l0 Peruvian textile manufacturer visit SAI's New York office. From left: Rochelle Zaid, SAAS; Alice Tepper Marlin, SAI; Ricardo Sahurie, Chair of the Board- Franky & Ricky; Gonzalo Diaz, President- Franky & Ricky; Jesus Amado, Account Executive-Franky & Ricky; Jane Hwang, SAI; Matt Fischer-Daly, SAI  | - Franky and Ricky, SA8000 Certified Manufacturer, based on Arequipa, Peru, Visit SAI's New York Office SAI was pleased to welcome Franky & Ricky's Chair of the Board, President, and Account Executive to our offices (see photo above)March 14-17- Strategic CSR and Sustainability in a Global Marketplace Jane Hwang, SAI Senior Manager of Corporate Programs & Training, gave a lecture on "CSR and Supply Chain Management" at this 3-day event hosted by George Mason University's School of Management in Fairfax, VA. March 17 -Publication of the ISEAL 100 Report Informed by research and surveys conducted with 100 thought leaders, the ISEAL 100 Report provides a fascinating and graphic picture of their views on sustainability standards. For more information: www.isealalliance.org/iseal100March 25- 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Fire SAI staff observed the centennial of this tragedy by attending several events in the New York City area. Including an inspiring all-day program at the CUNY Graduate Center. |
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