DALTON, Ga.-Kaleen has earned SA8000 status from Social Accountability International (SAI), whose mission is to advance the human rights of workers around the world. Kaleen received this status for its largest facility, in Mirzapur, India.
The process to earn the status took more than a year and a half, said Joe Barkley, executive vice president of Kaleen, and included SAI inspecting the facility, interviewing workers and doing unannounced spot audits, among other items.
“I believe this to be the single most important honor a manufacturer should strive to receive and we are extremely proud of the recognition of over 40 years of achievement for our manufacture team and the dedication and commitment of the Rathi family,” Barkley said. “Kaleen’s social commitment has been a primary focus since Mr. Rathi started the company in 1964.”
Kaleen’s flagship facility in India, the factory employs about 1,000 people and is about 200,000 square feet.
SAI’s SA8000 standard is an auditable social certification standard for decent workplaces across all industrial sectors. It is based on conventions of the ILO, United Nations and national laws. Those who have complied with SA8000 have adopted policies and procedures that protect the basic human rights of workers, addressing child labor, forced and compulsory labor, health and safety and more.