CODE OF CONDUCT OF OM VEERA KNITS
- Employment is freely chosen.
There shall be no use of forced, including bonded or prison, labour (ILO Conventions 29 and 105) Nor shall workers be required to lodge “deposits” or their identity papers with their employer.
- There is no discrimination in employment
Equality of opportunity and treatment regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, political, opinion, nationality, social, origin or other distinguishing characteristic shall be provided. (ILO conventions 100 and 111).
- Child labour is not used
There shall be no use of child labour. Only workers at the age of 16 years or above shall be engaged.
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
The right of all workers to form and join trade unions and to bargain collectively shall be recognized (ILO Conventions 87 and98) Workers’ representatives shall not be the subject of discrimination and shall have access to all workplaces necessary to enable them to carry out their representative functions (ILO Conventions 135 and Recommendation 143) .
Employers shall adopt a positive approach towards the activities of trade unions and an open attitude towards their organizational activities.
- Living wages are paid
Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week shall meet at least legal or industry minimum standards and always be sufficient to meet basic needs of workers and their families and to provide some discretionary income. Deductions from wages for disciplinary measures shall not be permitted not shall any deductions from wages not provided for by national law be permitted without the expressed permission of the worker concerned. All workers shall be provided with written and understandable information about the conditions in respect of wages before they enter employment and of the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.
- Hours of work are not excessive
Hours of work shall comply with applicable laws and industry standards. In any event, workers shall not work in excess of 48 hours per week and shall be provided with at least one day off for every 7 day period overtime shall be voluntary, shall not exceed 12 hours per week and shall always be compensated at a premium rate.
- Working conditions are decent
A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, and best occupational health and safety practice shall be promoted, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Physical abuse , threats of physical abuse, unusual punishments or discipline, sexual and other harassment, and intimidation by the employer is strictly prohibited.
- The employment relationship is established
Obligation to employees under labour or social laws and regulations arising from the regular employment relationship shall not be avoided through the use of labour-only contracting arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment. Younger workers shall be given the opportunity to participate in education and training programmes.
The company accepts responsibility for observing the code with respect to all employees and workers.
TRAINING
Training forms an important part in improving the productivity, quality and skill of the workers. A number of job related training have been conducted. First the identification of need for a particular type of training is identified by the production manager and conveyed to the training officer who in turn arranges for the specified training. Trained personnel from machinery manufacturers and suppliers are invited to give training to our labours in machinery handling and maintenance. Thus workers are tuned to the competent market requirements. These type of trainings also increase the morale and performance of the labours and activates their zeal to improve their performance. Apart from this, workers of lower level who have showed considerable improvement in their work are also promoted to the next higher level in appreciation of their work. This has also boosted the morale of the workers.
During training, workers who have shown multiple talents in operating various machines have been identified and given training in all aspects, which has further strengthened the production area, and absence of one type of worker does not affect the production due to these type of trainings.
WORKING CONDITIONS
A visit of Om Veera Knits shows that the workplaces are well spaced, light is abundant, high ceilings control for heat, good ventilation in all sections is provided by regularly spaced fans (regular maintenance ensures proper ventilation) ; different noise-generating activities are isolated from the more labour-intensive downstream activities ; outdoor embellishment (plants and flowers around the factory buildings) is also part of the environment improvement program.. Masks and finger guards are provided to all workers, which shows our concern for the health & safety of our workers. A clean and healthy environment has also improved the productivity.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND WORK CULTURE
As against the general trend in the local industry of avoiding statutory benefits and compensation, company’s commitment towards respecting laws of land and passing on the due benefits, employees preferred to continue working with the company. With the built in system of having career progression opportunities, employees are motivated to accept the challenges and proving the desired performance improvement.
SUMMARY
Company management’s vision in adopting systems based approach in the areas of growing concern viz. quality, environment and social accountability has paid rich dividends and also enhanced their fiscal strengths. This is evident from the fact that in spite of recessions, heavy fluctuations in exchange rates, withdrawal of financial benefits from the government as part of financial reforms in line with WTO agreements, the company could survive these financial shocks and continue with sustained business growth.
