Jan 16: Wal-Mart Must Improve Supplier Standards on Hours of Work, says Global Union
US retail giant Wal-Mart has been asked to amend the provisions of its code of conduct relating to working hours, as well as to address allegations that it is allowing its Indonesian suppliers to work up to 18 hours a week more than the legally permitted maximum. Says Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation: “Wal-Mart’s Standards for Suppliers allow workers employed by its suppliers to work up to 72 hours per week, or a maximum of 14 hours a day”.
US: Wal-Mart To Settle Class Action Lawsuits by Wendy Kaufman, December 24, 2008
Wal-Mart says it has settled 63 wage- and hour-abuse lawsuits against the company. The world's largest retailer says the total to be paid depends on the amount of claims submitted by class members, but it could be up to $640 million.
Canada: Minimum working age lowered to 15 in Saskatchewan
REGINA - The minimum age of employment will be lowered to 15 years old for those working in hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes, starting in mid-January, the Saskatchewan government announced Tuesday. Prior to the change, the minimum age for working in those five sectors was 16. Fifteen-year-olds will not be allowed to work more than 16 hours per week to ensure they have sufficient time to dedicate to their school work, the Saskatchewan Advanced Education Employment and Labour said.
US: California's Green Chemistry Initiative issues final recommendations
The California Environmental Protection Agency has issued its Green Chemistry Initiative (GCI) Final Recommendations, which seek to influence new policy to eliminate or reduce the use of toxic substances in products and manufacturing processes and strengthen the protection of public health and the environment. The six point plan covers:
- Expanding pollution prevention and product stewardship programmes
- Developing green chemistry workforce education and training
- Creating an online product ingredient network
-
Creating an online toxics clearinghouse
- Accelerating the search for safer products
- Moving towards a cradle-to-cradle economy
source: Echa
US: Nine out of ten business leaders think CSR will thrive under Obama
Nearly nine out of ten business leaders polled by Business for Social Responsibility have said they
believe that US President-Elect Barack Obama will have a positive impact on the promotion of
the corporate social responsibility agenda.
The survey respondents focused on what they saw
would be the three most important steps that the new president should take, which were to
promote investment in renewable energy and carbon capture, to develop a climate change
mitigation strategy, and to initiate partnerships between business, government and civil society.
The near consensus was also that there would be increased regulation of corporate activity,
particularly on climate change and financial transparency. http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/CSRfiles/page.php?Story_ID=2301
US: Sustainable agriculture standard talks begin
More than 50 representatives from a broad range of industries and areas have begun discussions to set a standard for sustainable agriculture. The talks, facilitated by the non-profit Leonardo Academy, are aimed at creating a voluntary standard under the rules of the American National Standards Institute. Members of the sustainable agriculture Standards Committee include diverse agricultural producers, food and clothing makers and retailers, including Dole, Earthbound Farms, the National Corn Growers Association, General Mills, Amy's Kitchen, Levi Strauss & Co. and Whole Foods Market. The group identified the main issues it will need to tackle, and laid out its course of action. Major topics will include the relationship between organic, mainstream and sustainable agriculture; genetically engineered crops; continually improving standards; including small and medium farms and conventional agriculture; carbon sequestration in soil; labor protections; the intersection of product safety and sustainability; and applying standards to livestock and non-plant agriculture sectors.
Green Biz, 10/03/2008 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2008/10/03/sustainable-agriculture-standard-talks-begin
US: Wal-Mart asks suppliers to avoid Uzbek cotton
Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Tuesday it is requiring its suppliers to stop sourcing cotton from Uzbekistan, in an effort to end child labor there. Wal-Mart's move follows similar steps from retailers including British grocery chain Tesco Plc and department store chain Debenhams, which have already banned Uzbek cotton in products they sell. Wal-Mart said instructions to suppliers to stop buying cotton and cotton materials from Uzbekistan came after months of work with industry trade associations, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and socially responsible investment groups. "We have formed an unprecedented coalition, representing 90 percent of the U.S. purchases of cotton and cotton-based merchandise, to bring these appalling child labor conditions to an end," said Rajan Kamalanathan, Wal-Mart's vice president of ethical standards.
Reuters, 09/30/2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN3043422920080930
US: Payless shoesource to launch green footware line
Footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource is to launch a low-priced eco- friendly shoe and handbag line and has signed an eco consultant to help drive 'green' innovation across the range. The new collection will focus on fashion-first footwear and accessory products that use sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as organic cottons and linen, natural hemp and recycled outsoles, as well as eco-smart packaging. The 'green' shoes will sell for an average of less than $30 a pair early next year in about 500 stores, with select styles appearing in 1,000 stores, as well as on its website.
Matt Rubel, CEO of Collective Brands Inc, the parent company of Payless ShoeSource, points out that while consumers are interested in green product options they "are often expensive and inaccessible to so many." He adds: "With our mission to democratise the latest ideas in footwear and accessories, we are in the best position and proud to bring forward a green footwear line that is affordable and accessible to all."
Just Style, 10/13/2008 http://www.just-style.com/article.aspx?id=102224&lk=dm
