News archived
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BSCI celebrates the International Day of Human Rights
10 December 2012On 10 December every year since 1948, the International day of Human Rights marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which has become a universal standard for defending and promoting human rights. BSCI joins the UN in celebrating this day, towards achieving its own mission of improving working conditions in factories and farms world-wide. Recognising the importance of the UDHR, BSCI's Code of Conduct prescribes ten key labour rights, which are notably inspired from it.
While most countries adopt legislations that respect human and labour rights, on a practical level, implementation of those legislations often lag behind. BSCI supports its participating companies to improve working conditions in their supply chains by raising awareness of labour rights among factory and farm staff around the world. BSCI has organised hundreds of training sessions, reaching out to thousands of people, as knowledge of rights is the first necessary step towards improvements. BSCI also engages in constant dialogue with governments, trade unions and NGOs in supplying countries to encourage more ownership and true implementation of labour rights. To know more about BSCI's work, watch the BSCI video. -
Outcomes of the BSCI Annual Conference
07 December 2012BSCI would like to thank more than 200 attendees from over 20 countries for joining BSCI Annual Conference on 21 November and sharing their knowledge, inspiration, and commitment to improving working conditions in factories and farms world-wide.
BSCI would particularly like to thank the company E.Leclerc which was welcomed as BSCI’s 1000th Participant during an early morning Press Conference on 21 November.
During the Annual Conference, BSCI witnessed hundreds of participating BSCI Participants and external stakeholders exchanging their expert views towards sustainable supply chains and improving working conditions.
Specific issues in companies’ supply chains were led by thought-leaders and specialists, including BSCI Participants, producers, NGOs, governments, trade unions and other initiatives. Together, these experts came from all over the world, with various backgrounds and specialisations to share their views and explore challenging and sensitive topics: Grievance mechanisms, a new code for 2020, ongoing social and economic challenges in Bangladesh, along with ways of tackling wages in supply chains, were just a few topics of discussion.
Next year's Conference will celebrate BSCI's 10 year anniversary. If you are interested to participate, save the date of 26 June 2013 and contact info@bsci-intl.org
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BSCI regrets the closure of Rosita factory, Bangladesh
06 December 2012On 29 November 2012, BSCI and its Participants have been informed by South Ocean, an important knitwear manufacturer, of its decision to close two of its factories in Bangladesh, Rosita and Megatex that very day without any forewarning. BSCI regrets the abrupt closure of the factory, particularly as this incident follows many months of close collaboration to improve working conditions.
Following a report by the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights in March 2012, that had highlighted the heavy labour non compliances, confirmed by the fair labour consultant Verité in April 2012. A list of corrective measures had been implemented in the past months under the supervision of Verité, BSCI Participants alongside the BSCI Secretariat. While regularly following up with the factory, the situation had subsided for several months.
BSCI and its Participants are surprised by the sudden decision of South Ocean and call the owner to respect the legal obligations towards the workers.