OTHER IMPORTANT INITIATIVES
ACCORD ON FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY IN BANGLADESH
In 2014 , New Wave Group signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh , a legal five year agreement to improve the safety of textile factories in Bangladesh , with focus on building construction , electrical- and fire safety . Many important changes have taken place during this time , but still a lot of work remains . Therefore , a new agreement will take place in May 2018 when the current Accord expires . New Wave Group signed the new agreement in November 2017 .
The Accord is an important investment for New Wave Group and our operations in Bangladesh . We are happy to be part of the initiative and witness the solid improvements taking place on the factory floor . The Ready Made Garment industry is very important to the Bangladeshi economy and their single biggest Export income . The Accord directly affects two million workers , making it one of the greatest social initiatives in modern time .
FAIR LABOUR ASSOCIATION New Wave Group is also associated with Fair Labour Association ( FLA ) through our subsidiary Cutter & Buck . Our FLA commitment applies to all suppliers producing for the American market . FLA is an independent organization working with social accountability , comparable to amfori BSCI . Each year , FLA will handpick suppliers from our supply chain to be audited for social compliance . The audit reports will be published on the FLA website for you to take active part in the progress and findings of individual factories .
C-TPAT
American suppliers are also obliged to participate in our work for safe transportation and anti-terrorism . The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ( C-TPAT ) is a voluntary initiative of U . S . Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) to build relationships that strengthen international supply chains and improve U . S . border security . CBP organizes regular visits to our suppliers for on-site inspections . Although C-TPAT is not linked to the traditional CSR topics , it demonstrates how multiple stakeholders are monitoring our supply chain .
WORKING FOR PROGRESS Improving working conditions requires more than monitoring . It also means to challenge cultural differences and to find solutions that will lead to long-term sustainability . Sometimes , this will require communication on a higher level than with individual suppliers . Therefore , an important mission for our CSR-team is also to participate in local forums and roundtable discussions .
For example , we participate in the amfori BSCI National Group three times per year . Another important forum is Buyers Forum in Bangladesh , which is organized by World Bank Group IFC-SEDF . The forum consists of well-known fashion brands and together we put pressure on both suppliers and politicians . For example , the forum wrote a letter to the government in Bangladesh regarding the question of minimum wage .
Since 2016 , New Wave Group is also a part of CCR CSR ’ s ( Save Children ’ s Sustainability Center in China ) Virtual Youth Development Working Group . Here we get further knowledge , education and advice on how children and young people are affected in the global supply chain .
CONTIONOUS IMPROVEMENTS We strive for continuous improvements and step-by-step actions . Through regular visits and communication , we attempt to discover findings in time or to suggest actions that could lead to business improvements .
Everything is not perfect . Sometimes we identify non-compliances to what we expect from our supplies . If we discover findings , we prefer to develop an action plan in order to bring the supplier back to an acceptable standard , rather than to end our cooperation . By such means , New Wave Group can achieve the highest compliance levels while contributing to social development in the countries of production . That is taking responsibility in our opinion .
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