2020 has been a tough year for nearly everyone. But, especially difficult for those who suffer most from the increasing social and economic inequality seen worldwide, many of them vulnerable workers, people with precarious employment, and small business owners and employees. In the face of these challenges, SAI adapted and expanded many of our programs to advance human rights for workers and we are more committed than ever to continue this mission.
We want to thank you for your continued support. If you’re able, we hope you will consider donating to support vulnerable workers in 2021 and beyond. From all of us at SAI, we wish you a very happy new year!
Highlights from 2020
(and a glimpse into 2021)
New partners and progress for human rights in the apparel supply chain
SAI received support from GFEMS and the UK government for our program to improve sourcing and production practices and transparency in the apparel manufacturing industry (co-funded by the EU). Their support allows us to expand from Bangladesh to India, with a specific focus on reducing risks for modern forms of slavery in lower tiers of the chain.
New research to advance living wages and income
Thanks to support from Clif Bar & Co., SAI became the institutional host for the newly formed Anker Living Wage and Living Income Research Network (the research partner of the Global Living Wage Coalition). Led by Richard and Martha Anker, the Research Network launched a new methodology for estimating country-level living wages and income —Anker Reference Values—that will reach even more places around the world.
Reports this year: 5 new Anker Living Wage Benchmark reports, 22 living wage update reports, and 15 living wage and living income Reference Values.
Supporting migrant workers in India
We were proud to support one of our partner organizations in India, Vizhuthugal Social Education and Development Trust, to provide mental health services, nutritious meals and medical supplies, health and hygiene and safety and security training to hundreds of migrant workers and their families that became stranded or disconnected from their homes due to COVID-19.
Continuing to combat forced and child labor in palm oil
When site visits and in-person stakeholder engagement were disrupted, our Palma Futuro team quickly pivoted. Throughout the year, we delivered remote assessments and trainings for large palm oil companies and their suppliers (including smallholders) and engaged over 500 farm and factory workers about the impact of COVID-19 on labor conditions.
Growing support for recycling supply chain workers
Even in the face of the pandemic, the iWrc program continues to grow, adding 3 new team members, 13 new participant waste-picking cooperatives, and establishing partnerships with two municipalities in Brazil. Founder Mike Maggio and Johnson & Johnson also organized a rapid-response COVID-19 humanitarian relief effort.
For 2021, iWrc has signed new companies and partners to continue growing in Brazil and to launch the program in Mexico, Vietnam, and Colombia. Learn about iWrc.
Successful transition to online training
SAI successfully transitioned our training programs to remote delivery, allowing us to reach participants from over 33 countries even during the pandemic. Check out our upcoming trainings.
A data platform for SA8000
SAI unveiled a database and unified audit reporting tool to improve data collection and access across the SA8000 system. The database soft-launched in 2020 and we are now onboarding certified organizations.
In 2021, we look forward to registering all SA8000-certified organizations, onboarding more stakeholders (like buyers), and celebrating a full launch of the platform.
Maintaining SA8000 protections for workers
SAI responded quickly during the pandemic, creating protocols for offsite audits that ensured credible continuation of SA8000 certification assurance and oversight throughout 2020 and beyond.
A new look and feel
We hope you’re enjoying our brand new website and look unveiled in 2020. This redesign is more than just a facelift, our new platform gives us more possibilities for engaging with our audiences than ever before. We look forward to evolving and growing our communications with this platform in 2021! Check out the new website.
