Kaleen earns SA8000 status for Indian facility

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/19/2013 12:51:03 PM

Dalton, Ga. - Rug producer Kaleen has earned SA8000 status for its India manufacturing unit. SA8000 is a series of social accountabilty workplace standards designed to protect the well-being of factory workers.
"I believe this to be the single most important honor a manufacturer should strive to receive, and we are extremely proud of the recognition of over 40 years of achievement for our manufacture team and the dedication and commitment of the Rathi Family," said Joe Barkley, executive vice president of Kaleen. "Kaleen's social commitment has been a primary focus since the Mr. Rathi started the company in 1964".
According to a press release from Kaleen, the SA8000 standard is one of the world's first auditable social certification standards for decent workplaces, across all industrial sectors. It is based on conventions of the ILO, United Nations and national laws. The SA8000 standard spans industry and corporate codes to create a common language for measuring social compliance. Those seeking to comply with SA8000 have adopted policies and procedures that protect the basic human rights of workers. The management system supports sustainable implementation of the principles of SA8000: child labor, forced and compulsory labor, health and safety, freedom of association and right to collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours and remuneration.