New Balance, PF Flyers, Warrior, and Brine. New Balance Athletics, Inc.'s compliance program is accredited by the FLA.
From the New Balance Athletics, Inc. website: The Supplier Code of Conduct defines our minimum expectations. We expect our suppliers to ensure that no exploitative conditions or unsafe working conditions exist at the facilities where our merchandise is manufactured. This Code of Conduct expresses the commitment of New Balance Athletics, Inc. to do business only with those manufacturers and suppliers that share its commitment to fair and safe labor practices.
The Fair Labor Association (FLA) expects its affiliates to account for the impact of business decisions on workers in their global supply chains. The FLA recognizes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, companies of all sizes face challenges and difficult choices that will affect many – including the most vulnerable workers.
Twenty-three companies and civil society organizations jointly signed a letter to urge the government of Cambodia to take specific, concrete, and time-bound steps to bring Cambodia in line with international labor standards.
The letter details requests that Cambodia amend its Trade Union Law, repeal the Law of Associations and NGOs, drop all outstanding criminal charges against union leaders, and respect and foster the role of the Arbitration Council. Specifically, the letter calls on the Cambodian government to:
Raw materials supply chains are complex and often opaque. They may span multiple companies and can be difficult to trace. Companies’ efforts to ensure decent working conditions are focused mainly on their immediate suppliers. Typically, apparel and footwear companies focus on the finished goods produced in Tier 1 factories.
Turkey’s garment and textile supply chain is large and complex. The upper tiers are often difficult to trace, making it difficult to engage workers and support worker rights beyond Tier 1 (downstream) suppliers.
Employers in small and medium-sized enterprises often operate informally and lack awareness of the national or international standards on decent work conditions and child labor. Many of these workplaces have precarious working conditions and pose a high risk for workers.
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The FLA board of directors approved the reaccreditation of the New Balance labor compliance program in October 2018. This report reviews the company's changes and improvements since its 2014 accreditation and its reaccreditation assessment by the Fair Labor Association.
As explained by this FLA issue brief the never-increased 90s-era monthly minimum wage of 20 lari (around $8.50) for private sector workers in Georgia is grossly insufficient to maintain a decent standard of living in that country. The Clean Clothes Campaign estimates that a living wage for a family of four is nearly 65 times that amount, while the US State Departmen
In April of 2014, workers at the Pou Chen Group, a Participating Supplier with the FLA, went on strike in Gaobu, Dongguan, China, protesting that Pou Chen was not making the contributions for social insurance and housing benfits employers are required to pay under Chinese national law.
On November 2, 2013, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A. (Union of Workers of Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A) filed a Third Party Complaint with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) regarding the factory Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A. (“HIALPESA”). The factory is located in the District San Juan Lurigancho, in Lima, Peru. The complaint alleged violations of the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct with respect to terms of employment, safety and health, and freedom of association. FLA Participating Company New Balance sources from HIALPESA.
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. (New Balance) is aprivately held company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. New Balance manufactures running, tennis, soccer, baseball, cross training, lifestyle and other shoes, as well as a variety of athletic apparel and equipment. The company and its affiliates employ more than 5000 employees worldwide. The FLA Board of Directors voted to approve the accreditation of New Balance’s compliance program on June 11, 2014 based on proven adherence to FLA's Workplace Code of Conduct and the Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing.