Central to BIO EXIM for organic clothing production is a labor and social compliance that draws from a bottom-up approach. The compliance is evolved by the worker-owned enterprises themselves through a process that seeks to continuously improve labor standards and social protection, looking at development aspects beyond the workplace and towards the family and community. Such development compliance works to improve each collective from its current level of organic productions, rather than attempting to achieve a top-down standard.
BIO EXIM believes that though well intentioned, monitoring a compliance code introduced by international buyers for ensuring decent working conditions of the workers is extremely difficult, if not impossible, when it comes to outsourcing practices. Therefore, the code of conduct or other social standards often become tokenistic, since it is externally imposed and not inherent to the existing work-culture.Therefore for its organic clothing manufacturing carefully considering experiences of existing labels and social compliance efforts, the development compliance proposed by BIO EXIM is an inbuilt and organically grown practice that seeks to ensure the wellbeing of each worker owned enterprise and its members involved in making of organic clothes. It also seeks to improve each enterprise from its current level, rather than attempting to achieve an absolute standard. The goals set by the people themselves, for labor standards improvement, in the manner perceived by them are more achievable and honest somewhat which is required in reality for organic clothing productions in accordance to FLO standards for organic clothing, rather than lofty external standards, which are very often proclaimed only to please international clients, much to the detriment of the workers and sometimes the industry, since there are already several labels existing.
Furthermore, the efforts of BIO EXIM development compliance are towards continuous improvement in production of organic clothing rather than be restricted to merely achieving the minimum compliance an enterprise has to fulfill; for instance, the compliance BIO EXIM propagates goes beyond minimum wages, and the minimum level of protection set by legal provisions while production of organic clothing. The development compliance standards include a commitment for continuous learning & regular assessment of group performance, enrolment of their children to school (no child labor), working at a common workplace, regular contribution to membership, contribution to social security where possible and percentage share of profit to collective while in the process of manufacturing organic clothing.
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Environment Policy ::
At BIO EXIM, it is firmly believed that a successful company must play an active role in the development of the society from which it springs. Besides pursuing its business goals, it should also be responsible corporate citizen. It is because of these beliefs that BIO EXIM is always on the forefront of extending a helping hand for the needy.
BIO EXIM commits itself to continually improve our environmental management. It strives to go beyond the requirements of the applicable environmental laws & other regulations through
- Optimizing usage of organic cotton, energy, chemicals & water.
- Adopting preventive strategies to reduce the generation of effluents, waste and air emissions.
- Maximizing the recycling of inevitable wastes.
- Encouraging suppliers & buyers to become environmentally responsible and use organic inputs in maximum.
- Maintaining a safe working environment.
- Increasing the green cover prompting organic products usuage.
- Training employee on environmental issues
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Social Policy ::
Central to BIO EXIM is a labour and social compliance that draws from a bottom-up approach. The compliance is evolved by the worker-owned enterprises themselves through a process that seeks to continuously improve labour standards and social protection. The employment is freely chosen and there is no forced or bonded labor. Workers are not required to lodge “deposit” or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice. Such development in organic clothing compliance works to improve each collective from its current level, rather than attempting to achieve a top-down absolute standard.
We believe that though well intentioned, monitoring a compliance code introduced by international buyers for ensuring decent working conditions of the workers is extremely difficult, if not impossible, when it comes to outsourcing practices. Therefore, the code of conduct or other social standards often become tokenistic, since it is externally imposed and not inherent to the existing work-culture. A safe and hygienic working environment is provided in organic clothing productions, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Adequate steps is taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising from, associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimizing, so far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment.
Workers receive regular and recorded health and safety training, and such training is repeated for new or reassigned workers. Access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water, and, appropriate, to rest areas, food consuming areas and sanitary facilities for food storage is provided adjacent to organic clothing assembly areas.
Carefully considering experiences of existing labels and social compliance efforts in organic clothing, the development compliance proposed by BIO EXIM is an inbuilt and organically grown practice that seeks to ensure the wellbeing of each worker owned enterprise and its members. There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national horizon, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation. There is no physical abuse or discipline. The threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other firms or intimidation is prohibited during various organic clothing stages.
Practicing the development compliance
All the members of the worker-owned enterprises are self-employed therefore entitled to the profits and benefits generated through the work executed that is making of organic apparels. Job orders are paid on the basis of quantity and quality of production as individuals within the group. We ensure that increasing the income earned even for low skilled members within the collective will go beyond the minimum wage prescribed, working hours are not excessive, working hours must comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards, whichever affords greater protection. In any condition, workers are not allowed to work in excess of 48 hours per week on a regular basis, and is provided with at least one day off for every seven day period on average. Overtime must be voluntary must not exceed 12 hours per week, must not be demanded on a regular basis and must always be compensated at a premium rate while into organic clothing manfacturing
In terms of a work environment, all the worker-owned enterprises are supported to function from common work sheds, equipped with basic facilities (including water, toilets, ventilation, light etc) and infrastructure. The employer adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions and their organizational activities. Workers representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace. Where the right to the freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, the employer facilitates, and does not hinder, the development of parallel means for independent and free association and bargaining. These are made in tune to FLO standards for organic garment manufacturing.
The experience so far has clearly indicated the impact of such a bottom-up development compliance. We become a key partner, ensuring social compliance demanded by international organic garment buyers abroad. |
