Central to BioExim is a labour and social compliance that draws from a bottom-up approach. The compliance is evolved by the worker-owned enterprises themselves through a process that seeks to continuously improve labour standards and social protection. The employment is freely chosen and there is no forced or bonded labor. Workers are not required to lodge “deposit” or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice. Such development compliance works to improve each collective from its current level, rather than attempting to achieve a top-down absolute standard.

We believe that though well intentioned, monitoring a compliance code introduced by international buyers for ensuring decent working conditions of the workers is extremely difficult, if not impossible, when it comes to outsourcing practices. Therefore, the code of conduct or other social standards often become tokenistic, since it is externally imposed and not inherent to the existing work-culture. A safe and hygienic working environment is provided, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Adequate steps is taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising from, associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimizing, so far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment.

Workers receive regular and recorded health and safety training, and such training is repeated for new or reassigned workers. Access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water, and, appropriate, to rest areas, food consuming areas and sanitary facilities for food storage is provided.
Carefully considering experiences of existing labels and social compliance efforts, the development compliance proposed by BioExim is an inbuilt and organically grown practice that seeks to ensure the wellbeing of each worker owned enterprise and its members. There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation. There is no physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms or intimidation must be prohibited.

Practising the development compliance

All the members of the worker-owned enterprises are self-employed therefore entitled to the profits and benefits generated through the work executed. Job orders are paid on the basis of quantity and quality of production as individuals within the group. We ensure that increasing the income earned even for low skilled members within the collective will go beyond the minimum wage prescribed, working hours are not excessive, working hours must comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards, whichever affords greater protection. In any condition, workers are not allowed to work in excess of 48 hours per week on a regular basis, and is provided with at least one day off for every seven day period on average. Overtime must be voluntary must not exceed 12 hours per week, must not be demanded on a regular basis and must always be compensated at a premium rate.

In terms of a work environment, all the worker-owned enterprises are supported to function from common work sheds, equipped with basic facilities (including water, toilets, ventilation, light etc) and infrastructure. The employer adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions and their organizational activities. Workers representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace. Where the right to the freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, the employer facilitates, and does not hinder, the development of parallel means for independent and free association and bargaining.

The experience so far has clearly indicated the impact of such a bottom-up development compliance. We become a key partner, ensuring social compliance demanded by international buyers abroad.