SA 8000: a tool to improve quality of life

This case study aims to present how SA 8000 was successfully implemented in Thailand. At present, Beauty Essential Co., Ltd is one of very few companies in Thailand who obtained this certificate. As an exporter, the company found that international customers place increasing pressure on producers to demonstrate their commitment to basic human values in the workplace. The president of Beauty Essential views the standard as a way to strengthen and differentiate Thai companies from other cheap labour countries as well as a tool to improve the quality of employees’ lives. However, according to Thai law, working up to 84 hours a week is allowed. In order to comply with SA 8000 practice, Beauty Essential has to cut down overtime by 28.57 percent. The challenging question is how to do it. On one hand, working conditions have to be improved in order to achieve a higher productivity rate and at the same time the employees will work less hours with less tiredness.