Decent labour conditions for flower workers
Brussels/Cologne/Münster/Prague/Vienna,21.04.11: On the occasion of International Labor Day on the 1st of May, 2011, the partners of the European-wide campaign 'Fair Flowers - For Human Rights' demand the respect of internationally acknowledged labor rights for flower workers world-wide.
Flower workers in many countries are not allowed to join trade unions, have to work a minimum of 12 hours a day during peak seasons, are getting poisoned by highly toxic pesticides, and are not getting paid enough to adequately feed themselves. Their flowers are sold in European flower shops and supermarkets.
Few people are aware of the conditions of workers on flower farms across the world, most of which are women, who cultivate flowers for the European market. To raise consumers’, florists’ and the European Union policy makers’ awareness, the “fair flowers – for human rights” campaign has invited Irene Nyambura Kiarie (Red Lands Roses, KPAWU) and Redemta Akoth Josia (KEWWEDO), two representatives of the Kenyan civil society and Kenyan flower workers, to give testimonies during a European speaker’s tour from the 22th of April until the 12th of May.
During the speakers’ tour signatures will be collected to demand that the European Union support decent labour conditions on flower farms.
“We demand all European consumers, florists and policy makers to pay attention to the exploitative working conditions and dangers that workers, both male and female, are facing”, says Hindati Simpara from FIAN Belgium. “Managers should be prohibited to undermine freedom of association” adds Gertrud Falk from FIAN Germany.
“For many workers, their insufficient wages constitute a violation of their right to feed themselves and their family” knows Sophie Vessel from FIAN Austria. “Moreover, they are exposed to highly toxic pesticides and do not benefit from any proper protection, which violates their right to decent working conditions” adds Alena V?žníková from Ecumenical Academy Prague.
“We demand governments and farms to respect international, labour, cultural and environmental rights” says Clara Moeremans from Netwerk Bewust Verbruiken. “Farms can proove their commitment by getting certified by the two labels Fairtade, and the Flower Label Program (FLP).”
“Consumers, flower traders and public institutions give incentives for respecting human rights and environmental protection when they buy certified flowers” adds Steffi Neumann from Vamos e.V. Münster.
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