SA : 8000 (Social Accountability)
SA8000 is an international standard to promote worker's rights and enable employers to sustainably implement a systems-based approach to ensuring decent and ethical working conditions. This standard is based on the principles of the international human rights norms and national labour law to promote worker's best interest, with a view to sustainable livelihoods and employment. It is based on the principle that ensuring worker's rights and well-being is not a 'burden' for employers but an investment in human resources that leads to healthy and sustainable workplace for all.
The intent of SA8000 is to provide a standard based on international human rights norms and national labour laws that will protect and empower all personnel within a company's scope of control and influence, who produce products or provide services for that company, including personnel employed by the company itself, as well as by its suppliers/subcontractors, sub-suppliers, and home workers.
The SA:8000 code of practice is broken down into nine key areas:
- Child labour
- Forced labour
- Health and safety
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining
- Discrimination
- Disciplinary practices
- Working hours
- Compensation
- Management systems
