Compliance is generally defined as conforming to a specification, standard or law that has been clearly defined. In RMG industry it is commonly enforced as code of conduct by the buyers, which refers to a list of labor standards. CODE OF CONDUCT (COC) Social Accountability standards have been developed by the international organizations such as FLA, WRAP, SA8000, ETI and BSR. Reputed brand buyers in large supply chain have taken the guideline from those organizations and formulated their own standard of COC and also the acceptance criteria. The basic principles of COC have been derived from the principles of international human rights norms as delineated in International Labour Organization Conventions, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is a lack of harmony in the code of conducts followed by the different brands such as Wal-Mart, Reebok, FLA etc. particularly in the cases of minimum age requirements, wages and benefits and overtime payment. It has nine core areas to be addressed upon. These are as follows: 1. Child labor 2. Forced labor 3. Health and safety 4. Compensation 5. Working hours 6. Discrimination 7. Discipline 8. Free association and collective bargaining NONDISCRIMINATION We will not do business with any vendor who discriminates in employment, including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality or, social or ethnic origin NONDISCRIMINATION CHILD LABOR Employees of our vendors must be over the applicable minimum legal age requirement or be at least 14 years old or older than the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture, whichever is greater. CHILD LABOR & YOUNG LABOR. Example of Health Facility. POSTERS ON HEALTHIER PRACTICES FACTORIES MUST PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATERS FOR WORKERS GENERAL SAFETY PPE Use of Gloves Use of Ear Muff Use of Ear Plugs FIRE SAFETY. Extinguisher placement and marking FIRE SAFETY Extinguisher/Emergency light placement on stairwell FIRE SAFETY. Aisles Arrow Marking CAUSES OF FIRE IN RMG FACTORY CAUSE FOR CASUALTY CAUSE FOR CASUALTY HOURS OF WORK 1. Normal Work hours per week will not exceed 48 Hours. 2. Maximum Overtime hours will not exceed 12 Hours. 3. Average overtime per week will not exceed 10 hours. 4. Overtime wages to be paid as per law. 5. Factory need to communicate hours of work policy-including overtime and overtime wages clearly to all workers. 6. Factory need to have an effective , reliable time recording system in place. 7. Factory need to maintain under 60 working hours per week. 8. Factory need to serve notice to workers if overtime is required due to extraordinary business circumstances. 9. Factory need to document reasons for excessive overtime. 10. Overtime should be voluntary. 11. Factory need to have a system in place to ensure that overtime is voluntary. 12. Factory need to make effort to reduce excessive overtime. 13. When overtime is required factory should provide Meal/Meal allowance, Beverage /beverage allowance and transportation or Conveyance allowance. 14. Workers should get normally at least one day off per seven-day week. TRADE UNION Trade Unions are the organizations which are engaged in protecting the rights of the labor force of the country. They are the registered unions which are devoted for the betterment of the workforce in the following aspects: Quality of Work Life (QWL) Legal Proceedings Resolving Industrial Disputes Working Conditions Welfare of the Work force etc. Trade Union movements are essential for a country, especially for the betterment for the existing and potential workforce. Trade unions are the Collective Bargaining Agents (CBA) which speaks for the workers rights.