Outlines the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by Twins Enterprise Inc in response to an FLA audit of a factory in Macau

Fair Labor Association

English

Outlines the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by Twins Enterprise Inc in response to an FLA audit of a factory in Macau.FLA_2009TrackingChart_Twins.pdf: 54 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

eCommons@Cornell

Tracking Chart 2009 Twins Enterprise Inc,

DigitalCommons@ILR

FLA Audit Profile 
Factory Code  920044161H 
Country  Macau 
FLA Affiliate  Twins  
Monitor  Social Compliance Service Asia 
Audit Date  September 3, 2009 
Products  Caps & Hats 
Processes  Sewing, assembling, ironing and packing 
Number of Workers  22 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Findings:  
Freedom of Association: Z. Grievance Procedure ________________________________________ 2 
Freedom of Association: ZB. Other - Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining_________ 2 
Harassment or Abuse: C. Discipline/Review of Disciplinary Action _________________________ 3 
Miscellaneous: A. Code Awareness___________________________________________________ 4 
Health and Safety: I. Evacuation Requirements and Procedure______________________________ 5 
Health and Safety: Q. Ventilation/Electrical/Facility Installation and Maintenance ______________ 6 
Health and Safety: R. Machinery Maintenance and Worker Training_________________________ 7 
Health and Safety: T. Bodily Strain ___________________________________________________ 7 
Hours of Work: S. Sick Leave _______________________________________________________ 8 
 
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 
 2
 
Freedom of Association: Z. Grievance Procedure  
FOA.26 Employer shall have in place written grievance procedures that allow first an attempt to 
settle grievances directly between the worker and the immediate supervisor but that, where this is 
inappropriate or has failed, it is possible for the worker to have the grievance considered at one or 
more steps, depending on the nature of the grievance and the structure and size of the enterprise. 
Employers shall ensure that the grievance procedures and applicable rules are known to workers. 
(P) 
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  A Suggestion box and written procedures are available. However no written 
procedure was visibly posted for the workers.  
Plan Of 
Action:  
The management team needs to post written procedures and deliver them to all 
employees. It is critical that the management team fully understands the 
importance of employees being able to communicate any grievances without fear 
or intimidation from management.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier CAP: We had posted the written procedure beside the suggestion box.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
10/28/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
The factory has posted the written procedure on the wall next to the suggestion 
box. They have discussed the procedure with all employees.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
  
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified Text: 
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Freedom of Association: ZB. Other - Freedom of Association and 
Collective Bargaining  
Other 
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 3
Explanation:  No written policy of freedom of association was available to the workers.  
Plan Of 
Action:  
The management must create a freedom of association policy and post it for all 
employees to review. The management must also hold meetings with employees 
and managers to discuss the Freedom of Association plan.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier CAP:  We have set up Freedom of association written policy and posted it to all the 
workers publicly.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
10/28/2009  
Action Taken: The factory has set-up a Freedom of Association policy and posted it in the public 
areas for all employees to see.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified Text:  
 
Action 
Verified Date: 
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Harassment or Abuse: C. Discipline/Review of Disciplinary Action  
H&A.3 The disciplinary system shall include possibilities for workers to have disciplinary action 
imposed on them reviewed by someone at a higher managerial position than the manager who 
imposed the disciplinary action. In addition, such a system shall include the ability of a worker to 
appeal and/or question any disciplinary action against him or her and/or have a third party of his or 
her choice present when the disciplinary action is being imposed. (P) 
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  There is no appeals system for workers who received disciplinary actions or were 
terminated.  
Plan Of 
Action:  
The management needs to build an appeal system, post it for all employees, and 
hold meetings with the employees to explain it. The management team will also 
assemble a committee that will spearhead the review of all disciplinary actions 
imposed on workers. It is important for the management team to closely monitor 
all employees and manager interactions.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier 
CAP:  
We will add an appeal system for workers who received disciplinary actions or were 
terminated. We will post this system publicly for all workers to see. We will also 
add it to the employee handbook.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
10/28/2009  
Action The factory has added an appeals system for all employees who have received 
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 4
Taken:  disciplinary action or termination. This policy has been posted for all workers to see 
as well as being added to the workers handbook.  
Plan 
Complete:  
  
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Text:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Miscellaneous: A. Code Awareness  
GEN.2 Ensure that all Company factories as well as contractors and suppliers inform their 
employees about the workplace standards orally and through the posting of standards in a 
prominent place (in the local languages spoken by employees and managers) and undertake other 
efforts to educate employees about the standards on a regular basis. 
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  No COC training was provided to educate employees on factory and company 
standards.  
Plan Of 
Action:  
The management will post the COC for all employees to see. They will also review 
the code with all employees and members of management. The COC will be 
updated yearly and posted around the factory. The COC plan will clearly lay out 
who will conduct the trainings, how many times a year this training will take place 
as well as when and how the training will be delivered.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier 
CAP:  
We had made plans of training on the COC and will retain the records later on.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
11/11/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
The factory is in the process of creating a COC Training Program. Once it is 
finalized, they will begin training sessions with all employees.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action  
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 5
Verified 
Text:  
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Health and Safety: I. Evacuation Requirements and Procedure  
H&S.9 All applicable legally required or recommended elements of safe evacuation (such as posting 
of evacuation plans, the installation and maintenance of an employee alarm and emergency lighting 
systems, ensuring aisles/exits are not blocked and that workers are not blocked within their 
workstations, employee education, evacuation procedures, etc.) shall be complied with. Workers 
shall be trained in evacuation procedures. Alarm systems shall be regularly tested and evacuation 
drills shall be undertaken at least annually. (S)  
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  1) One of the evacuation plot plans at the sewing unit was blocked by sundries. 
Government Decree 57/82M Workplace Hygiene & Work Safety Section, Chapter 
2). 2) One of the emergency exit lights at packing unit was found malfunctioning. 
3) A blocked fire hose and fire alarm were found at the sewing unit. Potential root 
cause is that there is no effective regular inspection system in place and workers 
are lacking of awareness in this respect. (Government Decree 57/82M Workplace 
Hygiene & Work Safety Section, Chapter 2).  
Plan Of 
Action:  
Management needs to conduct a daily walk-through of the factory to look for any 
boxes or items that are blocking evacuation plans. The management team should 
also create a monthly checklist of signage, entrances/exits, safety equipment etc in 
order to properly conduct monitoring and ensure full compliance at all times. A 
monthly checkup of all lighting and signage should be conducted on a monthly 
basis as well. The management should post signs in the areas in which product 
seems to build up so that blockages do not occur.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier 
CAP:  
We will remove the things in front of the evacuation plot plans at the sewing unit 
immediately to assure no blocking. We are checking all the emergency exit lights 
of the factory area and will exchange all the broken ones before Sep 11th, 2009. 
We will remove all the block things in front of the fire hose and alarm to assure 
unblocked.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
11/11/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
The factory has unblocked the fire hoses. They have also unblocked the evacuation 
plot plan and have instructed all employees to make sure that the plot is always 
visible. Factory employees now conduct a daily walk through of the facility to 
ensure that there are no blockages. The facility is currently having all emergency 
exit lights inspected as well as changing any that are broken.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 6
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Text:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Health and Safety: Q. Ventilation/Electrical/Facility Installation and 
Maintenance  
H&S.17 All necessary ventilation, plumbing, electrical, noise and lighting services shall be installed 
and maintained to conform to applicable laws and in such a manner as to prevent or minimize 
hazardous conditions to workers in the facility. (S) 
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  Two electrical panels at the packing unit were found without proper label and were 
equipped with plastic protectors (shield). Potential root cause is that there is no 
periodic inspection system in place. (Government Decree 57/82M Workplace 
Hygiene & Work Safety, Chapter 2)  
Plan Of 
Action:  
Management needs to implement a bi-annual inspection of the entire facility. 
Electrical testing and safety equipment should be conducted and installed. All 
electrical panels are to be re-numbered and labeled correctly and eligibly so that 
all can understand.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier CAP: We have sought help from a professional electrical company to check all the 
panels. We will install necessary plastic protectors and labels for all the electrical 
panels needed before Sep 11,2009.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
09/11/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
An electric company has been hired by the factory to inspect all panels, to install 
plastic protectors and label all panels. This is a project that is currently in the 
works. Many of the panels have been inspected and updated.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified Text: 
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 7
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Health and Safety: R. Machinery Maintenance and Worker Training  
H&S.18 All production machinery, equipment and tools shall be regularly maintained and properly 
guarded. Workers shall receive training in the proper use and safe operation of machinery, 
equipment and tools they use. Employers shall ensure safety instructions are either 
displayed/posted near all machinery or are readily accessible to the workers. (S)  
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  One of the sewing machines was not equipped with needle guards. The over-
locking machine (1 unit) was found not equipped with eye shield. (Government 
Decree 57/82M Workplace Hygiene & Work Safety, Chapter 3, Section 1)  
Plan Of 
Action:  
All equipment should be monitored on a daily/ monthly basis. Management needs 
to implement a structured checkup of all equipment in the factory. The 
management needs to work with the employees and encourage feedback on a 
daily basis so that any and all issues can be resolved right away.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier 
CAP:  
We will inspect all machines and install the proper eye Shields and needle guards 
on them.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
10/28/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
The factory installed needle guards and eye shields to the sewing machines.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Text:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Health and Safety: T. Bodily Strain  
H&S.20 Workstations, including seating and standing arrangements and reach required to obtain 
tools, shall be designed and set-up in such a manner as to minimize bodily strains. Employers shall 
train workers in proper lifting techniques and items such as belts shall be provided. (S)  
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 8
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  No ergonomic system was implemented for workers in the designing workstation. 
Workers were not provided with training ion proper lifting techniques.  
Plan Of 
Action:  
Management needs to inspect all workstations for proper seating, standing and 
reaching requirements. Each work station needs to be set-up in a manner in which 
limits bodily strains. In addition, a training program on proper lifting techniques 
and the use of PPE's is to be implemented. It is important for each employee to 
use PPE's at all times.  
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier 
CAP:  
We plan to provide ergonomic chairs which can be adjusted.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
11/11/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
The factory is currently inspecting all chairs in the facility and replacing them with 
chairs that properly adjust for ergonomic conditions.  
Plan 
Complete:  
  
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Text:  
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
Hours of Work: S. Sick Leave  
HOW.19 Employers shall provide workers with sick leave as required under local laws, regulations 
and procedures. (S) 
 
Audit Date  Audit Type  Audit Scope  Auditor  Score  
09/03/2009  External  
FLA 
Independent 
External 
Monitoring  
Social 
Compliance 
Service Asia 
(SCSA)  
Noncompliance 
 
Explanation:  Workers were not paid for sick leave in accordance to the newly implemented law 
for compensation. Workers received only 50% of sick leave compensation. (Article 
53, section 2, Employment relation act of Macau)  
Plan Of 
Action:  
Management must review all compensation laws and familiarize themselves with 
any and all changes. These laws must be adhered to at all time. They need to 
review all payroll records and make sure that everyone's compensated correctly as 
of the date of the law changed.  
920044161H – Macau: Twins 
 9
Deadline 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Supplier CAP: We have adjusted the procedure on sick and injury leave. The sick leave policy 
now complies with the employment relations Act of Macau.  
Supplier CAP 
Date:  
10/27/2009  
Action 
Taken:  
The factory has adjusted the procedure on sick leave. This procedure is currently 
being adhered to.  
Plan 
Complete:  
 
Plan 
Complete 
Date:  
 
Action 
Verified:  
 
Action 
Verified Text: 
 
Action 
Verified 
Date:  
 
Comments:   
Confidential 
Comments:   
 
  
 


https://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1333&amp;context=globaldocs

Tracking Chart 2009 Twins Enterprise Inc,

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

eCommons@Cornell

DigitalCommons@ILR