Zambian ball stitchers

Alive & Kicking is thrilled to announce the adoption of a new Employment Charter for our staff in Kenya and Zambia.

The purpose of the charter is to formalise our approach to employment standards for our employees and to clearly layout the underlying social principles behind our local labour policies, of which we are very proud. Initial feedback on the charter has been positive and all suggestions for how it can be improved upon in the future are welcome.

Much of the wording of the articles in the charter has been adapted from principles promoted by the International Labour Organisation and the World Fair Trade Organisation.

Alive & Kicking Employment Charter

Employees are targeted beneficiaries of Alive & Kicking. Achievement of the highest possible employment standards is therefore central to Alive & Kicking’s very existence and the organisation strives to provide the best standards of employment in the global sports equipment industry.

What employees of Alive & Kicking can expect from their employer:

Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association

Alive & Kicking does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/AIDS status or age.

Alive & Kicking commits to providing opportunities for women and men to develop their skills and actively promotes applications from women for job vacancies and for leadership positions in the organization. Alive & Kicking takes into account the special health and safety needs of new mothers. Alive & Kicking also promotes applications from disabled people whose particular disabilities will be taken into account in their terms and conditions of employment. Alive & Kicking respects the right of all employees to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively.

Contractual employment with a definitive job description

Alive & Kicking commits to clear communication on employment responsibilities, expectations of working periods, rates of pay, the duration of a contract and the member of staff responsible for supervising the employee.

A fair rate of pay

Alive & Kicking commits to pay all staff a fair wage. A fair wage is one that has been mutually agreed by all through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the employees and can also be sustained by the market. Fair pay means provision of socially acceptable remuneration (in the local context) considered by Alive & Kicking’s management to be fair and which takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Alive & Kicking always pays above the local minimum wage for employment.

Transparency in the decision making process

Alive & Kicking commits to being transparent in its management of and decisions on employment practice. Alive & Kicking commits to finding appropriate, participatory ways to involve employees in its decision-making processes and to ensure that relevant information is provided to all employees on a decision concerning employment well in advance of the decision-taking place.

No Child Labour or Forced Labour

Alive & Kicking adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national/local law on the employment of children. Alive & Kicking ensures that there is no forced labour in its workforce. In support of these two commitments, Alive & Kicking chooses not to allow any home based work for production personnel.

Good Working Terms & Conditions

Alive & Kicking commits to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees. In support of this commitment Alive & Kicking will comply, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions on health and safety, as well as on working hours and conditions.

Parity in terms and conditions of employment with other local and international ball production operations will be provided at a minimum. In addition to ILO conventions and national laws on Labour practice, paid leave is provided to staff for family bereavement. Alive & Kicking also commits to assist employees to attain financial services.

Alive & Kicking commits to make employees the initial subject of the organisation’s HIV/AIDS and malaria education outreach.

Transparent and regular assessment and review procedures

Alive & Kicking will ensure that all employees have regular reviews to identify and remedy any problems early on.

Capacity Building

Alive & Kicking commits to develop the skills and capabilities of its employees both at production and management level. This is achieved through sharing skills amongst the Alive & Kicking group of companies and by sourcing outside training.