OSHA seeks partnership with SGMA

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking at forging “cooperative partnership” with the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association in efforts to ensure compliance with local and federal laws as well as to improve working conditions on the island.

Jim Wulff, safety and health manager for OSHA Region 9 which covers the CNMI, said there is a marked improvement in the conditions at several factories, but added others may need to step up their in-house safety and health programs.

He also hailed the SGMA’s decision to conduct workshop for its members as part of the implementation of the Code of Conduct that will spell out efforts by the group to comply with the OSHA regulations.

“For a number of companies, there has been improvement. For others there is room for improvement and this is the form that we allow them to get the training and knowledge so that they can all make steps for better safety and health program,” said Wulff.

The OSHA official was one of the resource speakers during an SGMA conference which ended yesterday at the Hyatt. More than 70 participants from the group as well as from buyers’ representatives, OSHA and the Business for Social Responsibility attended the two-day seminar.

According to Wulff, the training was a “very positive” move as he noted that SGMA representatives were committed in trying to improve their facilities, including safety for their workers.

A tour at the factory of Top Fashion garment manufacturing firm in Tanapag also afforded the participants to have a hands-on experience regarding areas where OSHA monitors for compliance.

Wulff disclosed he enjoyed that portion of the workshop, noting that they were able to point out some positive steps that the company has taken and areas they need to improve.

“Just to show the group is going to help them improve their safety and health programs in the future,” added the OSHA official.

The conference, the last in the series of seminars initiated by SGMA for its members ahead of the implementation of the Code of Conduct, also signals greater cooperation between the association and the federal agency, which used to be at odds in the past due to allegations of poor working conditions here.

A proposed agreement called Excellence 2000 aims to promote the partnership whereby SGMA factories would adhere to set of OSHA standards to serve as role models to other manufacturing firms.

Although the agency will still continue to enforce safety and health laws in the CNMI, Wulff pointed out it is a step forward to improving the working conditions on the island.

“OSHA will always have their enforcement work. There is always going to be a need for addressing complaints and other safety and health issues brought to our attention,” he explained.

“But perhaps a form like this or with the implementation of Excellence 2000 proposal, perhaps OSHA and SGMA can form more of a cooperative partnership in lieu of traditional enforcement.”

The proposal is still being drafted and officials hope it can be implemented as soon as possible to complement the SGMA Code of Conduct.

Moses Fejeran, participant to the workshop, underscored the importance of the training program in pushing the Code to serve as guidelines for better working conditions in the CNMI.

“This is excellent,” he said in an interview after the conclusion of the seminar. “Now, we can apply the Code of Conduct on each factory and I Hope everybody will do the same.”

Dismissing continuous negative attacks against the local garment industry, Fejeran said they just disregard the reports because they are “interested in reaching the top.”