Interview With Monica Escobar - Hertzoff of wrap

Hello, this is Russell Jowell, Communications Manager at WRAP, and I have pleasure today to speak with Monica Escobar-Hertzoff, WRAP’s Compliance and Training Manager for the Americas. Monica, why is social compliance important for garment factories in Latin America? Monica, why is social compliance important for garment factories in Latin America? Because it makes them more competitive and more attractive to foreign investors. Social compliance encourages factories to implement management systems regarding factory policies, procedures, and workplace dynamics which, in turn, will help them get more business opportunities, which, in turn, will help them get more business opportunities, especially in today’s world when we are seeing that buyers are increasingly demanding that factories not only meet certification standards, but implement them every day but implement them every day but implement them every day and maintain them over time. Compliance programs are not only important to factories, but to the government as well. Governments have laws, rules, and regulations that factories Governments have laws, rules, and regulations that factories must meet. There is a very interesting connection between the work done by the government and the work of the factories that shows that social compliance is not only a good idea, but also one that is being put into practice to make these countries more attractive put into practice to make these countries more attractive and ultimately generate more investment. Why should Latin American factories obtain WRAP certification? Why should Latin American factories obtain WRAP certification? Because… Actually, there are many reasons but the main one is that social compliance always adds value to them. Jobs are the key to success for many, Jobs are the key to success for many, and ensuring that workplaces and ensuring that workplaces and ensuring that workplaces are operating in an ethical, legal, and safe way is key. Many of the factories that we inspect show that they are serious show that they are serious about the process. Another reason why I think it is important for factories to be certified is because the brands today do not work with those who do not want to be on a path to social compliance; those who are not under the same guidelines. the same guidelines. If a factory does not show that it is trying to put in good working conditions, If a factory does not show that it is trying to put in good working conditions, If a factory does not show that it is trying to put in good working conditions, then the brands, who are demanding more social compliance, can decide who they do and do not want to work with. can decide who they do and do not want to work with. How can a WRAP certification help a factory? It helps in several ways: It helps them to organize their facility, it helps them to be organized when creating policies and procedures and setting up a system that works for them. Because the goal at the end of the day is not for them to have a temporary, confusing system, is not for them to have a temporary, confusing system, but to have a compliance program that is maintained as a system that can be monitored, corrected, and improved. It also allows them to monitor practices, to create new programs that are focused on the welfare of employees. Everything that the company does to ensure good working conditions, and reliable, safe, ethical, and humane practices will be reflected in higher productivity, lower turnover, greater job opportunities, more customers, more money, and that obviously will be reflected in productivity not only of the company but in the good environment in which the person is working. Why WRAP is the best training resource? Well, we have a very comprehensive training program. Our training portfolio includes courses ranging from three days to five days, training courses about fire safety training and customs and security requirements. and customs and security requirements. and customs and security requirements. Our courses Our courses allow us to teach in a different and highly effective way. allow us to teach in a different and highly effective way. We see that our students get a good grasp We see that our students get a good grasp on what they learned, and that they can implement all that they have learned. Our method Our method includes role play, includes role play, group exercises, discussions to show all that an auditor will face in real life to show all that an auditor will face in real life to show all that an auditor will face in real life to show all that an auditor will face in real life when performing an audit correctly. We put that into all of our courses. We also put together scenarios for the students to live out and experience which lets them develop abilities, skills, knowledge, so that when they have the chance so that when they have the chance they can put their knowledge into practice and can be effective. Monica, thank very much for your time. Thanks to you.