The HR without borders NGO ((RHSF) was set up ten years ago out of a recognition that sub-contractors weren’t always capable of comprehending the labor rights related values and standards that their contractors were entreating them to uphold, and that promoting respect of these labor rights couldn’t be distilled to just audit-based actions. What was needed was a fundamental understanding of certain causes and the implementation of appropriate action. It was to this end that the NGO proposed such an initiative to a number of MNCs, which in turn agreed to ‘open up’ their supply chains so the NGO could study sources and types of excessive labor exploitation and from the study make conclusions to the benefit of all.
Following international scandals over Nike and Adidas, the US Fair Labour Association commissioned Martine Combemale to audit Asian based sports equipment production chains and out of this experience came the idea to set up, along with Jacque Igalens, the RHSF association, a non-profit, non-governmental organization offering affordable expertise where it is lacking. “We are aware that sub-contractor companies do not understand what is being asked of them, do not fully grasp ‘all of the mechanics’ and don’t have the resources to set up their own HR units,” explained Martine Combemale.
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