SGMA forms partnerships for training
The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA) has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA and Wage and Hour Compliance Divisions for further training to help Saipan factories comply with all federal labor laws.
SGMA said in a press release that after concluding talks with both Region IX office administrators, a one-week training seminar will be conducted on Saipan from May 1 to 5, 2000 for all SGMA members and a number of selected CNMI companies engaging in supplemental work with the association’s membership.
The training, which is called for under SGMA’s Code of Conduct adopted by the association in December 1998, follows extensive independent third-party monitoring visits by PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded three months ago. These additional training sessions precede follow-up monitoring inspections by PwC. The eventual goal for SGMA members is accreditation by one of three world-wide apparel accrediting firms by early 2001.
Training in the May will include occupational safety courses under the OSHA-501 Voluntary Compliance instruction program. Additionally, OSHA Region IX administrators and officials will provide training in the federal Ergonomics Act and the Blood Borne Pathogen Act.
U.S. Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will provide compliance instruction and education under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, including wage and hour computation, the federal overtime provisions and common wage enforcement areas.
Wage and Hour has also requested the presence of those companies operating in Saipan that provide additional work for SGMA firms under contract for such services as embroidery, laundering, printing and trimming.
“We appreciate that OSHA has accepted our request for additional training under worker safety laws. It is an area where the monitoring we employ has identified some remaining work to be done to meet our Code’s and buyers’ expectations,” said Richard Pierce, SGMA executive director. “It is truly in the best interest of our factories, the supplemental companies, our buyers and consumers that these firms are closely monitored to allow for an absolute guarantee that the goods manufactured here meet all requirements as manufactured in compliance with all labor laws.”
According to SGMA, about 60 participants are expected to take part in the seminars.
