SGMA, Liz Claiborne reach agreement

Agreements were reached to fulfill Liz Claiborne, Inc. and Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association’s mutual interests at a recent meeting with Paul Charron, Chairman of the Board of Liz Claiborne Inc.

After concluding tours of all the factories manufacturing for the international fashion industry leader, Liz CEO Charron reported that every factory visited evidenced acceptable standards to continue their relationship, and each was now being required to utilize independent monitors to maintain their standards in the workplace and with their workers.

These independent monitoring groups would assure Saipan Liz Claiborne apparel producers of continued contracts with the industry giant.

Charron, in meetings with the SGMA Chairman James Lin, recommended hastening the SGMA Code of Conduct’s eventual utilization of the very same independent monitoring firms in all SGMA factories.

SGMA adopted their Code of Conduct in December of 1998, and recently concluded opening rounds of training aimed at full-in-house and independent monitoring within all SGMA member companies.

Business for Social Responsibility, a private non-governmental firm in the fourth phase of their contract with SGMA, will list independent recommended independent monitoring firms after placing a Request for Proposals to select qualified applicants.

After listening to Liz CEO Charron’s impassioned statement of an economic reality to industry leaders, government officials and individual member firms, SGMA committed to further their common approach to protect the Commonwealth of the Northern MAriana Island’s economic mainstay.

SGMA agreed to support Liz Claiborne’s efforts at an early independent monitoring of SGMA Liz Claiborne, Inc. producing factories. SGMA will accepts these reports for their Code of Conduct compliance enforcement.

SGMA further agreed to accelerate the training required for member companies to install independent monitors an all SGMA companies. BSR will be contracted to move forward all phases in their contracts with SGMA.

Under the SGMA Code of Conduct, independent monitoring firms check for wages earned and payments, workplace safety, human rights interviews and compliance with local and federal laws. Reports are filed with the factory, the buyer and SGMA. SGMA then works with compliance teams to correct any deficiencies for Code compliance.

Independent monitors are most often comprised of international accounting firms, human rights advocate groups, and other experts associated with labor concerns.