The ETI Base Code is founded on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is an internationally recognised code of labour practice. It addresses many ethical issues within the work place such as fair pay, discrimination and safe working environments and states how retailers should act upon these issues.
New Balance’s Code of Conduct states that they conduct all internal and external relationships according to these core values: Teamwork, Total Customer Satisfaction, and Integrity. The Code of Conduct states that they do not use any forced labour, including prison labour, which is one point of the ETI Base Code. They also do not use child labour as they do not employ any child under the age of sixteen. They ensure this does not happen by making all of their facilities obtain official documentation stating each worker’s date of birth. However, New Balance will employ children aged 15 where the governing law allows such employment and this is technically child labour so I do not believe that they are fully following the ETI Base Code.
The Code of Conduct states that employers shall respect the right of workers to join and organize associations of their own choosing, and to bargain collectively. It also states that if local law limits the right of freedom of association, employers shall not obstruct legal alternative means of association. This is following the ETI Base Code as workers are free to join any association of their choice, even when local law limits their freedom of association the employer still respects the worker’s right to freedom of association.
When it comes to ensuring working conditions are safe an hygienic I do not believe that New Balance are complying with the ETI Base Code. Their Code of Conduct states that ‘All facilities shall comply with all local environmental laws. Manufacturers, subcontractors and suppliers must certify compliance with all applicable environmental regulations in their country.’. Although they’re following local laws not all countries have strict rules about working conditions, so therefore they aren’t ensuring that they have good, clean working conditions. However, they also state that they use OSHA standards as a bench mark for their health and safety to prevent work related accidents so this is in accordance with the ETI Base Code.
New Balance says that all workers will be paid at least the minimum wage in their country or the prevailing industry wage, whichever is higher. They also provide legally mandated benefits and states that there shall be no deductions of wages for disciplinary purposes. This follows the ETI Base Code exactly.
pALACE sKATEBOARDS AND the eti base code