Naster’s new management system: ethical and certified
A management system conforming to standard SA 8000
As production goes global, the markets become more demanding, competition intensifies, and technological advances get to be increasingly sophisticated, entrepreneurs may no longer ignore the social impact of their activities. The primary objective pursued by NASTER has always been to supply products that can meet customer needs and expectations while at the same time preserving the natural environment, respecting worker rights, and providing a workplace that is healthy and safe.
To face up to the new challenges, the enterprises become organisations that generate wealth and play a role in the integration of the economic - social - environmental system, valorising their relations with employees, social partners, the local community, consumers and other stakeholders.
NASTER has reconciled the attainment of efficiency in its activities with the goals of sustainable development, by adopting the principles underlying the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child and Human Rights.
These are the considerations that prompted the company to implement a management system conforming to internationally recognized standard SA 8000 on the social accountability of companies.
This choice enables us to control risk situations by taking improvement actions pursuant to the most widely recognised criteria of excellence: workers that are happier, customers that are more satisfied, greater appreciation by the community, and better protection for the shareholders, who are also gratified by enhanced company reputation.
Standard SA 8000
Standard SA 8000 details transparent, measurable and verifiable requirements to be met in order to certify company performance in 9 key areas:
- Child labour: Child labour is prohibited (mostly children under 15).
- Forced or compulsory labour: Workers cannot be forced to surrender their identity papers or pay a "deposit" as a condition of employment.
- Health and safety: Companies must meet basic standards for a safe and healthy working environment.
- Freedom of association & right to collective bargaining: The standard protects the rights of workers to form and join trade unions and to bargain collectively.
- Discrimination: No discrimination on the basis of race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, or political affiliation.
- Disciplinary practices: Corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion and verbal abuse of workers are prohibited.
- Working hours: The standard provides for a work week of no more than 48 hours, at least one day off per week, and a limit of 12 hours overtime per week remunerated at a premium rate.
- Remuneration: Wages paid must meet all minimum legal standards and provide sufficient income to satisfy basic needs, with at least some discretionary income (Living Wage).
- Management system: Procedures for an effective implementation of management practices and SA8000 compliance audits are defined, from designating managers to promoting improvement and maintaining the certifications, addressing concerns and taking the necessary corrective actions.
NASTER has begun this process by implementing its management system with an expert technician and promoting socially acceptable work activities, with advantages already discernible for the organisation as a whole and the entire supply chain in terms of improvements in the management of “corporate risks”, relations with stakeholders inside and outside the organization, and ultimately a generalised improvement in reputation: the core asset of the company.
