A growing number of companies have adopted the principle that workers deserve a decent standard of living and have committed to finding ways to pay workers in their operations and supply chains a living wage. With pressures from consumers, workers’ rights and advocacy organizations, trade unions, and governments, companies have been increasingly looking to improve compliance with due diligence requirements that address human rights and environmental impacts in their supply chains.
A recent article by SAI, Rainforest Alliance, and the Accountability Framework Initiative discusses how companies can begin to pay workers in their supply chains a decent wage, including resources, such as the ALIGN tool and the Global Living Wage Coalition, and helpful tips to make the process feel less daunting to companies and their suppliers.
Payment of living wages and incomes are among the best ways to contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, alleviating working poverty around the world, and supporting environmental objectives, such as preserving natural environments and ecosystems. Payment of a living wage also aligns with the Accountability Framework’s Core Principles and the core principle of the SA8000 Standard.
“With millions of forest and farm workers living below the poverty line, it’s time for all corporate leaders to set and implement commitments to living wages and incomes.”
You can also find out more about SAI’s living wage offerings or read about our work as institutional host of the Anker Research Institute.
