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>
> Social Accountability International
> Presents the Second Annual
>
> SA8000 Implementation Conference:
> Responsible Practices for Buyers and Suppliers
>
> April 25 - 26, 2001
> Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen, China
>
> Lead Sponsor: Supporting Sponsors:
> Sustaining Sponsors:
> Toys R Us <<...>> OTTO <<...>> <<...>> <<...>>
> <<...>>
>
>
> Social Accountability International and SA8000
>
> Social Accountability International (SAI) was founded in 1997 and is
> dedicated to improving workplaces and communities around the world through
> voluntary standards combined with independent verification and public
> reporting. SAI brings together business and stakeholders including
workers,
> trade unions, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to
> develop and implement social accountability systems. The first of these
to
> be fully operational is Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000), a workplace
> standard that covers all key labor rights and certifies compliance through
> independent, accredited auditors.
>
> Companies can implement SA8000 by seeking to have individual facilities
> certified to SA8000 or becoming an SA8000 Signatory Member, which entails
> issuing a plan for moving company-owned and supplier facilities to SA8000
> certification over time. Facilities in twelve countries on four continents
> have been certified to SA8000 and companies representing over $100 billion
> in annual sales have become members.
>
> For more information, contact: Matt Shapiro at 212-358-7697, ext. 238,
> mshapiro@sa-intl.org <mailto:mshapiro@sa-intl.org>
> or visit <www.sa-intl.org>
>
> Conference Summary
>
> The SA8000 Implementation Conference is an ideal opportunity to learn how
> SA8000, a leading workplace standard and verification system, can help
> companies maintain just and decent conditions throughout the supply chain.
> The conference is designed for "buyers" (retailers and consumer brand
> companies with global sourcing networks) and "suppliers" (the owners and
> operators of factories that are part of this network) along with the trade
> associations, NGOs, governments, trade unions and financial institutions
> interested in SA8000's role in assuring fair labor conditions. It
features
> presentations from those directly involved in implementing SA8000. The
> conference offers an introductory track for an overall orientation to
SA8000
> and an advanced track covering such topics as freedom of association,
> working hours, basic needs wage and working with NGOs and trade unions.
It
> also provides briefings on the benefits of adopting SA8000 for buyers and
> suppliers.
>
>
> Program Topics
>
> Introductory Track on the SA8000 Implementation
> * What the standard requires
> * Preparing for certification: training materials and courses,
> self-assessments and pre-audits
> * Certification audits and corrective actions
> * Participation of NGOs, workers and trade unions
> * SA8000 Signatory Membership
> *
> * Advanced Track on SA8000 Implementation
> * Creating custom training and pre-audit programs for suppliers
> * Working hour limitations and seasonal peak demand
> * Reaching the basic needs wage
> * Health and safety
> * The social guidelines of public and private financing
> *
> * Benefits to Suppliers
> * Improving relations with buyers
> * Holding and getting business
> * Gains in productivity, quality, and employee retention
> * Better access to public and private financing
> *
> * Benefits to Buyers
> * Putting values into action
> * Protection and enhance of company and brand reputation
> * Better supply chain management, productivity and quality
> * Improve employee recruitment, retention and performance
> * Address legal liabilities
> *
> * Benefits to Workers, Trade Unions and NGOs
> * Opportunity to work directly with business on labor rights issues
> * Support for the proposition that labor rights are good for society
> and business
> * Enhance opportunities to educate workers about labor rights,
> organize trade unions and bargain collectively
> * A tool for generating public awareness of working conditions, core
> labor rights and companies that are committed to assuring humane working
> conditions
>
> Speakers
>
> Speakers have been confirmed and invited (*) from organizations including
> the following:
>
> Businesses and Trade Associations: Amana SA - LINK Fair Trade Label,
> American Chamber of Commerce (various in Asia)*, Avon, Boots, Carrefour*,
> Coop Italia, Dole, Eileen Fisher, European Textile Retailers Association,
> European Foreign Trade Association*, Jebsen & Jessen*, Li & Fung*, The
> Marketing Store*, McDonald's*, New Balance*, Otto Versand, Philippines
> Business for Social Responsibility*, Prince of Wales Business Leaders
> Forum*, Timberland*, Toys R Us, WE Europe, World Business Council for
> Sustainable Development*
>
> NGOs and Trade Unions: Asia Forum*, Centro Nuovo Modello di Sviluppo,
> International Labor Organization*, Maquila Solidarity Network*
International
> Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation, Kenan Institute Asia,
Thai
> Labor Forum*, Union Network International, and Verite*
>
> Government and Financial Institutions: Asian Development Bank*, Bank of
> America*, Foreign Trade Ministry of the Peoples Republic of China*, the
> International Finance Corporation*, US Customs Service*, and the US State
> Dept.*
>
> Last Year's Conference
>
> The first annual SA8000 implementation conference, which took place in
Hong
> Kong in February 2000, drew over 100 representatives from more than 55
> companies and organizations. Participants included Argo Pantes, Arthur
> Anderson, Avon, Borealis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, British Airways, Business
in
> the Community, BVQI, The Conran Shop, Confederation of Indian Industry,
> Country Wide Porter Novelli, Crown Agents, CUTS, Disney, DNV, General
> Electric, Hallmark, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Hong Kong Quality
> Assurance, Indian Oil Corporation, Institute of Business Ethics
(Indonesia),
> ITS, Kenan Institute Asia, Kidat, KPMG, The Marketing Store, Mattel,
Nissin
> Electric, Omron Corporation, Philippines Businesses for Social Progress,
> Price Club, Ratra Trading, RINA India, Saga Sports, SGS, Tiger
Electronics,
> UL International, Union Bank of Switzerland, and Whirlpool
>
> Location, Schedule, Accommodations and Travel
>
> The conference will take place at the Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen, China
with
> a reception and dinner on Wednesday, April 25 and the conference program
on
> Thursday, April 26 in the morning and afternoon.
>
> The Shangri-La is offering a special package for conference attendees.
> Please contact the hotel directly to make reservations at:
>
> Shangri-La Hotel
> East Side, Railway Station, Jianshe Road
> Shenzhen 518001, China
> Phone: (86-755) 233-0888
> Fax: (86-755) 233-9878
> Email: slz@shangri-la.com
>
> The hotel is about 40 minutes away from the Shenzhen airport (by car) or
> Hong Kong (by train).
>
> Registration and Fees
>
> The fee for registration prior to April 1, 2001 is US $150. After April
1,
> 2001 the fee is $200.
>
> The fee covers the reception and dinner on April 25 and breakfast, lunch,
> coffee breaks and concluding reception on April 26.
>
> To register, visit the SAI website at www.sa-intl.org, fill in the
> registration form and mail, fax or e-mail it to SAI.
>
> A limited number of discounted registrations are available for
individuals,
> trade unions, NGOs, academics, small companies and government officials.
> Please contact Matt Shapiro at SAI for details (mshapiro@sa-intl.org, fax
> 212 358 7723, phone 212 358 7697 x238).
>
> Sponsorships
>
> Conference sponsorships are still available. Sponsorship is an efficient
> and effective way to reach individual from all sectors who are involved
with
> social accountability in the workplace. To discuss sponsorship
> opportunities, contact Matt Shapiro at SAI (mshapiro@sa-intl.org, fax 212
> 358 7723, phone 212 358 7723, x238).
>
>
>