SIZA and Rainforest Alliance combined audits — The principles that should be adhered to during the combined process
With the SIZA Social and SIZA Environmental standards enjoying areas of synergy with the Rainforest Alliance 2020 standard, the two programmes have aligned efforts in providing South African producers with a time and cost-effective approach to meet market requirements that require certification against both SIZA and Rainforest Alliance.
Market requirements for flower producers
As a market-driven initiative that brings together members of the international floriculture sector, the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) has implemented a basket of standards to build on the progress made on transparency, responsible production and trade, positive impacts, and improvement in the floriculture supply chain.
Policies should be signed and approved by senior management
The SIZA Standards make clear reference to the requirement that senior management in the business should document and oversee the implementation of the business’s policies related to the Standards.
Status update on Ethical and Environmental Audits
SIZA audits occur throughout the agricultural sector, and the programme represents 42 different commodities. These commodities include various fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, flower, spices, wool and other agricultural commodities. This
Ensuring that credible audit data is provided to buyers
SIZA strives to ensure continuous improvement within agri-businesses, allowing for economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship throughout the supply chain.
Coercion or collusion between relevant parties during the scheduling of audits
It is important to note that when an audit is scheduled, it cannot be done through coercion or colluding between parties to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome that is unethical. This includes the business requesting a specific auditor, or an auditor auditing a business where they might have a personal connection.
Why is overtime still one of the biggest non-compliances?
Some businesses only calculate overtime after filling up a week’s agreed-upon hours instead of the hours that exceed the ordinary hours per day. Please note that the Sectoral Determination 13 (SD13) defines overtime as the time that the agri-worker works during a day or in a week in excess of ordinary hours of work.
New Legislation: Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace
The Minister of Employment and Labour has published the new Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace in terms of the Employment Equity Act (EEA).
Status update on Ethical and Environmental Audits
A total of 403 Social audits have been conducted for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 October 2021.
Company
