Ethical Audits

In the agricultural sector, working beyond standard hours is often unavoidable, especially during peak periods or when essential tasks cannot be delayed. Sundays, in particular, may require attention to critical operations such as irrigation, livestock care, or equipment monitoring. While this is part of the reality of farming, it is important for employers to understand… Continue reading Overtime on a Sunday in Agriculture: Getting the Wages Calculation Right

It is common for agricultural businesses, especially during peak season, to make use of Temporary Employment Services (TES) to supplement their workforce. While this practice provides flexibility and operational support, it has also raised important compliance questions during social audits. Over the past few years, recurring uncertainties have emerged: •     What is required from a… Continue reading Auditing a Temporary Employment Service Provider – What Do You Need to Know?

In the agricultural sector, on-farm housing remains a common and often essential arrangement. However, providing accommodation to employees without a clear, written housing agreement exposes both the employer and the occupant to unnecessary legal and operational risk. From a SIZA perspective, formal housing agreements are not merely administrative documents but a key document that ensures… Continue reading Housing Agreements: What is important when looking at a housing agreement?

A strong employment relationship starts long before the first day of work. It begins with the contract. Employment contracts are more than administrative documents, they are foundational compliance tools.  During social audits, employment contracts are among the first documents reviewed, as they provide evidence of legal compliance, clarity of employment terms, and alignment with labour… Continue reading How to review Employment Contracts

A third-party audit remains a cornerstone of the SIZA Audit process. It provides a credible, objective picture of a supplier’s on-site practices to stakeholders in South Africa and buyers across global markets. In an increasingly transparent, due diligence-driven world, an audit measures compliance and helps to shape perceptions and convey a picture of the grassroots… Continue reading The Role Auditors Can Play to Strengthen Compliance, Transparency and Trust

In any credible compliance programme, the integrity of the third-party audit process is paramount. The primary objective of an audit is to provide an independent, objective, and standardised evaluation of a supplier’s practices. For this reason, it is essential that the audit process remain free from undue influence and be conducted in accordance with fair… Continue reading Protecting the Integrity of the Compliance Process:  Auditors vs Consultants

Audits are often perceived as compliance exercises that take up a lot of time, but they are a necessary part of the value chain to satisfy buying customers. It is, however, important to remember that audits can become a powerful management tool that drives continuous improvement. From a SIZA perspective, the value of an audit… Continue reading How can Auditors Contribute so that audits become a management tool to drive continuous improvement?

The primary role of a SIZA auditor is to assess compliance with the SIZA Standard Requirements and Audit Checklist. On the audit day, this includes identifying non-conformances and highlighting potential risks to enable remediation and drive continuous improvement in agriculture. However, a truly effective audit goes beyond identifying gaps. It also recognises what is working… Continue reading The Strategic Value of Reporting & Celebrating Best Practices

What is important when we talk about responsibilities toward seasonal and foreign labour in South African agriculture? For the majority of agricultural suppliers, the peak season typically occurs during harvests, when packhouses and processing facilities are operating at full capacity. For many South African farms and suppliers, seasonal workers are utilised during this time, and… Continue reading Ethical Employment Practices during Peak Season: Make SIZA a Lifestyle, Not Just a Compliance Initiative.

The festive season marks one of the busiest periods in South African agriculture. For many suppliers, this time coincides with harvest peaks, tight packing schedules, logistical challenges, and export deadlines. While much of the country winds down for the holidays, agricultural sectors such as table grapes, stone fruit, and subtropical fruit ramp up for their… Continue reading Worker Wellbeing and Social Responsibility During Festive Operations