On June 30, 2015, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) accepted for review a Third Party Complaint filed by a worker alleging violations of the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct regarding compensation and hours of work by FLA-affiliated company Ethical Fashion Africa, Ltd. in Kenya. The FLA selected independent expert Leonard Nawiri, based in Nairobi, Kenya, to conduct an assessment of the allegations and prepare a report and relevant recommendations.
The investigation methodology involved interviews with former employees of EFAL, with EFAL human resources consultants for, with two ITC staff — including one who assisted with labor standards monitoring with particular emphasis on the work carried out by the artisan communities and their involvement in the value chain – and with artisan groups from which EFAL sourced products. Mr. Nawiri interviewed a total of eight individuals (all former employees of EFAL) and four community groups. His report did not corroborate the allegations made by the complainant. Thus, the FLA considers that this case is closed and no remediation is required. Mr. Nawiri’s full report appears below.