PRINCIPLE #4: COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND WORKER’S RIGHTS
Forest management operations shall maintain or enhance the long-term social and economic well being of forest workers and local communities.
Workers involved in NTFP harvest operations may be linked to the FMO (employees, forest owner/manager and relatives) or they may be third parties (local communities, enterprises, individuals). When the scope of the certification assessment covers the NTFP products harvested by these workers, compliance must be
demonstrated with all criteria under Principle 4. SmartWood expects candidate operations to make every effort to ensure that working conditions are safe and well paid (compared to local norms). Workers from local communities are expected to be preferred in hiring. Where appropriate, worker access to living quarters and
forest resources such as timber, fibers, game and subsistence NTFPs should be agreed upon with the FMO.
4.1 The communities within, or adjacent to, the forest management area should be given opportunities for employment, training, and other services.
Local communities are given preference to NTFP resources in the forest management area before other third parties.
4.2 Forest management should meet or exceed all applicable laws and/or regulations covering health and safety of employees and their families.
Wages and other benefits (health, retirement, workers’ compensation, housing, food) for workers involved in NTFP harvest operations are consistent with (not lower than) prevailing local standards.
NTFP harvest and processing methods and facilities are safe and sanitary for both workers and end consumers.
4.3 The rights of workers to organise and voluntarily negotiate with their employers shall be guaranteed as outlined in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
4.4 Management planning and operations shall incorporate the results of evaluations of social impact. Consultations shall be maintained with people and groups directly affected by management operations.
Social impacts of NTFP harvest and commercialization by the FMO or third parties on local communities are addressed and incorporated into management planning, particularly respecting subsistence NTFP users.
Detrimental social and cultural changes resulting from the influx of NTFP harvesters or commercialization of NTFPs is minimized.
Social impact evaluations must consider the perspective of NTFP harvesters and local users.
4.5 Appropriate mechanisms shall be employed for resolving grievances and for providing fair compensation in the case of loss or damage affecting the legal or customary rights, property, resources, or livelihoods of local peoples. Measures shall be taken to avoid such loss or damage.