In an effort to expand upon the FLA's core program, the FLA has organized
several forums to bring its stakeholders together to address issues of noncompliance
and/or build capacity for stronger collaboration among its stakeholders.
FLA European Stakeholder Forums: The first FLA Board meeting outside of the US took place June 15 in Bamberg, Germany. A series of fora preceded the Board meeting and served as an opportunity for a wide variety of stakeholders to discuss workers' rights issues and approaches to sustainable change.
Supplier Consultations on Soccer Project: The FLA held two supplier consultations in October to introduce the Soccer Project to suppliers in China and Thailand. The objective of the Soccer Project is to pilot a methodology to improve labor conditions in factories that is sustainable and addresses the root causes of non-compliance while allowing for a greater participation of all stakeholders at the local level. This project in particular focuses on strengthening the capacity of these suppliers to improve – and sustain – compliance with the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct with respect to hours of work and grievance procedures. Please read the Summary Report (PDF) to learn more about the Soccer Project and the results of these meetings.
In addition to the consultations, FLA conducted a needs assessment of factory management. Please read the Training Needs Analysis: China (PDF) for the results.
The FLA Supplier Consultation: On June 22, 2005, the FLA hosted a supplier forum entitled "Missing Link: Suppliers Institutionalizing Compliance" in New Delhi, India. The FLA presented a range of perspectives on how to ensure and sustain healthy and productive working conditions for the garment workers in India through capacity building of the local suppliers.
The FLA's Living Wage Forum: At its October 2003 forum entitled "Beyond Questions of Principle," the FLA sought to address some of the practical questions that arise with regard to implementing a living wage, such as: How are living wages measured? What techniques can companies and workers use to enforce living wages while remaining competitive? How can the costs of living wages be distributed among actors in the supply chain -- from consumers to suppliers?
The FLA NGO Consultation: The FLA hosted its first NGO Consultation January 12-15, 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Consultation convened more than fifty NGO, trade union, and university representatives from Asia, Central America, Africa, Europe, and North America. Approximately twenty five FLA companies and monitors also participated in the fourth day of the Consultation. By bringing together in one place local activists, leading international code initiatives, universities, and FLA companies and monitors, the meeting represented an important step forward in the field of Code compliance, as well as an invaluable learning experience for the FLA.
