Visit to the Vietnam and Indonesia Sewing Factories in March 2024

In March 2024, we visited two of our suppliers in Vietnam (HOA THO QUANG NAM GARMENT JOINT STOCK COMPANY) and Indonesia (PT Gistex Garmen Indonesia) to investigate the status of their sustainability initiatives.
During the survey, in accordance with our Basic Policy, we confirmed the status of compliance with laws applicable to the apparel manufacturing process, respect for human rights, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection, and found no serious violations.

HOA THO QUANG NAM GARMENT JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Respect for Human Rights, Working Conditions, and Wages, etc.

• The hiring process is conducted based on position requirements and candidate competencies, and no discrimination in hiring was identified.
• Employees are hired for ages 18 and older, and ID checks are conducted.
• Employee salaries are required to be no less than the legal minimum wage.
• Employees are generally paid at least the local living wage.
• No disciplinary cases against employees were identified.
• Policies and procedures are in place to prohibit abusive or humiliating disciplinary practices. No cases of abuse or humiliating disciplinary actions were identified.
• A policy on the whistleblowing system has been established and is communicated to employees through induction training.
• Opinion boxes for whistleblowing are located outside the manufacturing plant and maintain a certain level of anonymity. The suggestion boxes are checked weekly by the HR team. Alternatively, the employee can directly talk to the team leader, the HR team, or a representative of the labor union (currently no grievance reports have been identified).
• 100% of employees are members of a labor union and meetings are held regularly (no employee grievances or concerns were identified through the minutes provided).
• No illegal terminations have been identified.
• A water purification system is in place and provided for drinking water. Drinking water quality is tested twice a year and was found to be within legal limits.
• There is a clean kitchen and cafeteria where lunch is provided to all employees.

Occupational Health and Safety

• An EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) officer has been appointed and an OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) committee and an occupational safety network consisting of departmental and worksite members are in place.
• No occupational accidents or incidents have been recorded in the past three years.
• A FPFF (Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting) system (including fire extinguishers, fire hoses, sprinkler system, fire alarm system, induction lights, emergency lights, fire pump station, and fire water tank) is in place on the premises. The FPFF system is regularly inspected and maintained.
• We confirmed that the premises are tidy and that exits, pathways, etc. are unobstructed.
• A fire safety inspection was conducted by the local fire department in 2024 with no specific findings.
• We verified that PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) regulations are in place and properly provided and worn (PPE includes face masks, uniforms, gloves, etc.)

Environment

• An environmental protection plan has been prepared in accordance with legal requirements. The plan identifies potential environmental impacts of the operation and specifies general mitigation and control measures accordingly.
• No asbestos or PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) were identified.
• No environmental incidents or accidents were identified since the start of operations.
  In addition, no signs of soil or groundwater contamination were identified during the site investigation.

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PT Gistex Garmen Indonesia

General Compliance with Laws and Regulations

• Operational procedures and other aspects of factory operations are in compliance with national laws and regulations.
• For the HSE (Health, Safety　and Environment) department, the manager has a general OHS qualification.
• Information on SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) can be found on the QR codes on the information boards located in the manufacturing plants and is disseminated during new employee training.
• All information to workers is provided in the local language (Indonesian).
• The company conducts internal audits every three months (audits cover marketing, HR&GA, document control, production, finishing, warehouse fabrics, warehouse accessories, etc.)
• The company has obtained environmental permits, temporary hazardous waste storage permits, etc.
• Some of its employees have obtained general OHS certification, forklift operator’s license, first aid certification, etc.

Respect for Human Rights, Working Conditions, and Wages, etc.

• A human rights and labor policy is in place, specifying, among other things, the following:
  • - Annual leave for employees
  • - Maternity and menstrual leave
  • - Sick leave for workers
  • - New hires
  • - Labor unions
  • - Working hours
  • - Warnings and cautions for workers
  Separate written procedures were established for the following:
  • - Maternity leave procedures
  • - Procedures for the protection of pregnant women in the workplace
  • - Procedures on prohibition of harassment and abuse
  • - Procedures on grievance mechanisms
• Appropriate labor contracts with employees are in place.
• Training on company policies/procedures (e.g., occupational health and safety, work equipment, etc.) is provided to new employees.
• Employees keep a logbook on the HRIS (Human Resources Management System) application and complete it appropriately, including any overtime.
• Employees are hired at least 18 years of age and are properly checked with ID cards.
• The hiring process is open and no discrimination based on specific ethnicity, gender, religion, etc. was identified.
• Procedures have been developed regarding the prohibition of abuse and harassment. Most of the employees are members of a labor union, and currently no issues of harassment or abuse have been identified.
• There is a whistleblowing system and an anonymous suggestion box/phone/e-form is available. Whistleblower records are made public once a month at the union’s monthly meeting, where solutions and other issues are discussed.
• Overtime is recorded starting at one hour (attendance is recorded and controlled by fingerprint sensor).
• Employee salaries meet local minimum wage requirements and are paid appropriately on a regular basis.
• Employees were not subject to financial penalties or improper monetary collections.
• No immigrants were employed.
• Annual medical examinations are conducted for all employees in accordance with local laws and regulations.
• The factory sets its own standards regarding room temperature and humidity (it is equipped with an air-cooling system).
• Clean restrooms are provided.
• Adequate lighting is provided in the work area.
• Clean water is provided (including potable water).
• Fire extinguishers, hydrants, manual and automatic fire alarms, etc. are properly installed.
• First aid kits are in place.
• HSE related facilities are in place (alarms, medical rooms, electrical panels, eye washes, emergency exits, smoke detectors, emergency lights, etc.)
• Emergency evacuation routes have been developed and evacuation drills are conducted three times a year.
• A medical clinic is available and staffed by a resident physician.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Occupational Health and Safety Department is in place.
• An Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee and Occupational Health and Safety Management System are in place.
• Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee meets quarterly (members include a physician, an OHS officer, and a human resources and administration officer).
• There are 10 first aid certified employees.
• Occupational health and safety training is provided to employees once a year on a topic-specific basis.

Environment

• Procedures are in place for waste management and segregation.
• Environmental monitoring is conducted twice a year for domestic wastewater, air quality, and noise.

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Supply Chain