alphabroder is dedicated to being a responsible corporate citizen; therefore we hold ourselves to the highest ethical business standards. This includes publishing and enforcing a social accountability statement for not only our internal practices but also all of our customers, vendors and factories. We have also partnered with U.S. Customs & Border Protection in a trade program designed to help secure our borders and ensure the continued free flow of international trade.
alphabroder has a tradition of conducting its business in an ethical manner that reflects respect for the public franchise under which we operate. As an International business, alphabroder is concerned with the worldwide state of human rights and environmental degradation. alphabroder follows the Fair Labor Association's (FLA) example and partners only with vendors that allow us full knowledge of the facilities used in their production. alphabroder and FLA utilize accredited third party audit companies to ensure its business partners are socially compliant with all applicable international and local laws. Any effort to suppress any of these standards will be met with strong objection. alphabroder will take into account any such actions on the part of vendors and factories when evaluating our business relations as our pledge to uphold these standards. When differences or conflicts in standards arise, the highest standard shall apply.
Employment Relationship
alphabroder vendors shall adopt and adhere to rules and conditions of employment that respect workers and at a minimum, safeguard their rights under national and international labor and social security laws and regulations.
Discriminatory Practices
alphabroder recognizes and respects cultural differences found in the worldwide marketplace. No person shall be subject to any discrimination in employment, including hiring, compensation, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social group or ethnic origin.
Harassment or Abuse
alphabroder vendors shall treat every employee with respect and dignity. No employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.
Forced or Compulsory Labor
alphabroder shall partner only with vendors which allow workers to accept their employment voluntarily. There shall be no use of forced labor, including prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor or other forms of forced labor.
Commitment to Responsible Recruitment
alphabroder is committed to the fair treatment of workers throughout the supply chain. One important part of this ongoing effort is working together with our global supply chain partners to drive positive change and eliminate the potential for forced labor in the countries from which we source products.
We commit to work with our global supply chain partners to create conditions so that:
- No worker pays for their job
- Workers retain control of their travel documents and have full freedom of movement; and
- All workers are informed of the basic terms of their employment before leaving home.
Child Labor
alphabroder shall partner only with vendors who take a strong stance against the use of child labor. Vendors are expected to comply with local and international laws in defining the term "Child". No person shall be employed under the age of 15 or under the age for completion of compulsory education, whichever is higher.
Human Trafficking and Slavery
alphabroder will not partner with vendors who engage in or support the use of human trafficking or slavery within their organizations and/or their international supply chain.
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
alphabroder adopts an open attitude toward worker's rights and their freedom to associate with others, form, and join (or abstain from joining) organizations of their choice, collective bargaining, without interference, discrimination, retaliation, or harassment. Employers shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Health, Safety and Environment
alphabroder vendors shall provide a safe and healthy workplace setting to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work or as a result of the operation of employers' facilities. Employers shall adopt responsible measures to mitigate negative impacts that the workplace has on the environment.
Working Hours and Overtime
alphabroder shall work with vendors who do not require workers to work more than the regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country where the workers are employed. The regular work week shall not exceed 48 hours. Employers shall allow workers at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in every seven-day period. All overtime work shall be consensual. Employers shall not request overtime on a regular basis and shall compensate all overtime work at a premium rate. Other than in exceptional circumstances, the sum of the regular and overtime hours in a week shall not excel 60 hours.
Fair Wages
alphabroder shall partner with vendors who share our commitment to the betterment of wage and benefit levels that address the basic needs of workers and their families. Every worker has a right to compensation for a regular work week that is sufficient to meet the workers' basic needs and provide some discretionary income. Employers shall pay at least the minimum wage or the appropriate prevailing wage, whichever is higher, comply with all legal requirements on wages, and provide any fringe benefits required by law or contract. Where compensation does not meet workers' basic needs and provide some discretionary income, vendor shall take appropriate actions that seek to progressively realize a level of compensation that does.
Product Safety
alphabroder is committed to aligning themselves with only those vendors dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our customers. Merchandise manufactured on behalf of alphabroder must meet or exceed all applicable U.S. and Canadian government product safety and quality standards.
Corruption and Bribery
alphabroder is committed to acting professionally, fairly and honestly in all of our business operations. alphabroder prohibits the offering, giving, solicitation or the acceptance of any bribe or corrupt incentive in any form.
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In 2007, alphabroder received the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification from the U.S. Customs and Borders Protection (CBP,) a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The C-TPAT program is a joint initiative between the U.S. government and certified businesses to cultivate cooperative relationships based upon the integrity of a company's security practices. These practices are vital in maintaining an overall efficient and compliant supply chain and strengthened border security. |
A year later, alphabroder was granted Tier II status by CBP. To receive its current Tier II status, alphabroder's entire supply chain, including factories, brokers and transportation providers had to pass a vigorous inspection by CBP, maintain the "best practices" in the industry and demonstrate that comprehensive programs are in place to secure their facilities and supply chains from terrorists, smuggling and narcotics.
This significant recognition of our security program exemplifies our organization wide commitment to maintaining the highest levels of security standards, procedures, and processes at all of our facilities, and displays our serious concern for the security and well being of the United States (or our homeland).
As part of our partnership with CBP, alphabroder will continue to comply with procedures defined by the CBP to ensure safety along the entire portion of the supply chain that we control -- from point of origin to final destination. C-TPAT membership will require alphabroder to maintain written processes that are in place with all business partners within our network of service providers as well as all corporate facilities. These security procedures must be verifiable, and alphabroder will be required to demonstrate that our transportation partners are in compliance with CBP standards.
Some of the major benefits of receiving C-TPAT certification include:
- Fewer cargo border inspections of goods, leading to reduced lead times
- The assignment of an account representative from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to address questions
- Access to U.S. government anti-terrorism seminars, and the sharing of industry best practices
Additional information about the C-TPAT Program is available at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Website.
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