Social Responsibilities

Caribbean Food Manufacturing S.A. is committed to industry best practices and it is certified ISO9001 ensuring conformity of its daily operations and Quality Management System. CFM SA is determined to extend its family values towards its employees, customers and community. It recognizes its social and environmental responsibilities and strives on making its plant an example of proper manufacturing practices.

Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) 2016

In subjecting itself to a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA), it has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to achieving international best practices – and put itself in the unique position to serve as a leading national example in the contemporary Haitian food manufacturing sector. To our knowledge, CFM SA is the only firm which has subjected itself to a comprehensive human rights audit of this nature.

The present HRIA was performed by Catherine Duhamel, Esq., a Creole-speaking Canadian lawyer, with professional experience in relation to Haitian justice and human rights initiatives dating back to 1993. In April 2016, Duhamel conducted a thorough on-site review/audit. Her audit included empirical inspection and observation, individual & group employee interviews, and reviews of managerial practices, and employer documentation. The on-site review was conducted over a 3-week period. A rating was compiled with the following indicators: presence or absence of human rights violations (conformity with national and international standards), policies and implementation mechanisms, human rights promotion strategies.

In line with these goals, a preliminary HRIA was conducted in April 2016 in order to underline and assess their respect for human rights : a concrete commitment towards the respect of international standards related to best practices and business accountability.

CFM is already assessing and addressing relevant human rights issues in a variety of ways, such as by enacting non discrimination policies, enforcing factory audits, conducting site-level social impact assessment, supporting a former employee to start its own business and engaging with communities.

The 3-year old Caribbean Food Manufacturing SA operates within the context of modern Haiti, with a poor human rights and labor standards record. A legal and political environment that some observers would call “a failed State.” In this context, it has succeeded not only in respecting the applicable Haitian social, economic and environmental norms, but has surpassed these standards in a very short period of time. In subjecting itself to a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA), it has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to achieving international best practices – and put itself in the unique position to serve as a leading national example in the contemporary Haitian food manufacturing sector.

The results of this first HRIA are most positive and promising in the context of contemporary Haiti. Some results of CFM SA’s review evidence the following:

Low environmental footprint	CFM SA has a relatively low environmental footprint: producing little waste, some refuse, low vapor rejection, use of their own water system, and having a water management plant in place.
Working conditions rank high	Working conditions and employee welfare at this factory which operates 24/7 rank high: hygiene, safety, security are ISO9001 standards CFM’s certification. Wages and medical insurance are above Haitian standards, and work schedules respect International Labor Organization’s standards. Sexual harassment is addressed specifically via a contractual clause, university student- employees are afforded flexible work hours and a new medical emergency plan is in place.
Creating other entreprises	Taking their sustainable development role model seriously, CFM SA has directly supported a former employee in building his own transportation business, creating direct spin-off employment opportunities, and source income for other Haitians in the local community. It is also involved in training the next generation’s workforce through ITech Institution. CFM SA has set goals for itself 2017 in 4 areas: environment, working conditions, governance and supply chain. A human rights policy is envisioned alongside a supplier best-practices strategy. Transportation and/or recycling are among the CFM SA’s 2017 sustainable target development goals with respect to identifying and implementing best practices.
Community engagement	Caribbean Food Manufacturing S.A. understands its responsibilities to the community. It is a company policy to participate in educational promotions through management involvement, as well as providing monthly donations to established organizations working with the less fortunate. The company is proud in having opened its doors to school field-trips, being on the Board of a non-profit professional school, and providing its products to six local NGOs.
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