Garment factories to participate in federal safety and wage training

Members of the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA) will take part in a series of training sessions this week to ensure compliance with all applicable federal labor laws. The special training is the result of a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the federal Wage and Hour Division, and SGMA.

Approximately 80 management and supervisory staff from all 31 SGMA-member factories will take part in the training, which is set to take place at the Hyatt Regency Saipan from May 2nd to the 5th.

“This week’s sessions follow the extensive third-party monitoring from PricewaterhouseCoopers last December,” explained SGMA executive director Richard A. Pierce. “This is the next step in the full implementation of our Code of Conduct.”

The long-term goal of SGMA member factories is to attain accreditation by one of three worldwide apparel accrediting firms by early next year, according to Mr. Pierce. “This week’s training fits in after PwC’s monitoring and before the accreditation by independent firms,” he said.

Frank Strasheim, a federal administrator from OSHA’s Region IX office, will conduct a session on occupational safety and federal safety laws. “Mr. Strasheim will use this week’s activities to officially open Excellence 2000,” revealed Mr. Pierce. “Excellence 2000 is a joint partnership between SGMA and OSHA for total factory safety compliance. We’re very grateful for the help we’re getting from these federal agencies.”

From the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Assistant Area Director David Boback from Hawaii will speak on wage and hour laws. Mr. Boback will provide compliance education under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, including wage and hour computation, the federal overtime provisions, and common wage enforcement areas. Wage and Hour has requested that those companies that provide additional work for SGMA firms for such services as embroidery, laundering, printing and trimming take part in this week’s training.

In addition to the federal assistance being offered, a number of CNMI residents will also conduct training sessions throughout the week. Thom Gipson from Safety 1st Systems will discuss the OSHA-501 Voluntary Compliance program; Cassandra Ely of the Saipan Chapter of American Red Cross will talk about the health and safety services available to SGMA; Department of Public Safety personnel, Fire Division, will discuss fire safety; the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality will talk about water standards; and Henry Cabrera from Tan Holdings will conduct training regarding the Blood Borne Pathogens Act.

This week’s instruction is the fourth installment of training conferences as outlined in the SGMA Code of Conduct.