Software development firm Spryte Labs has launched a certification programme to help prevent developer exploitation in offshore locations.
The Spryte FairTech effort is a technology sourcing certification programme that will “ensure the technology you use is developed responsibly”.
Spryte Labs aims to help certify and promote companies that engage in “responsible and ethical” software development practices. It says “exploitative working conditions, chronic underpayment and demanding hours” have become “increasingly common” at many offshore tech shops.
“Many of the apps and websites we use every day are developed primarily by outsourced software teams in countries with little to no regulations on working conditions,” says the provider.
This has led to “grey-areas” and “ethically questionable practices”. Some countries, such as France, have strict remote-working policies, but many others do not, which leaves developers “at risk”.
The rise of remote-work during the pandemic is said to have worsened the conditions of software developers.
Spryte Labs says it is launching FairTech in response to requests from clients committed to ESG (environmental, social and governance) initiatives, and to prevent the major labour abuses that have plagued sectors of the textile, fashion and manufacturing industries.
“By encouraging and developing ethical guidelines together, we can ensure that the information technology sector builds a robust worldwide supply chain,” says Spryte.
The FairTech certification programme is being initially launched to Spryte’s 300 development partners worldwide. Others in the tech industry are being invited to its working group to develop the certification process.
