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 Fairness
in Flowers
Why Flowers?
Have you
ever thought about what is behind the pretty petals in your
bouquet? According to the International
Labor Rights Fund (ILRF), the flowers in your vase today
were probably in the ground half way around the world on large
plantations, just a few days ago. Did you know that 50% of the
United States floral imports are from Bogota, Colombia and the
U.S. imports 45% of Ecuador’s cut flowers?
ILRF reports
that Colombian flower workers are ‘primarily young women,
many of which are heads of household, who endure dismal working
conditions and poverty wages. They further cite the use of over
127 pesticides, many banned in the U.S. and Canada as toxic
and carcinogenic. Workers on these plantations frequently endure
low wages, long working hours, and in Ecuador sometimes child
labor is even used. Recently, workers have been fired from their
jobs on Colombian plantations for trying to unionize to improve
their working conditions. [Learn about the benefits
to fair trade flowers for the workers]
 Valentine’s
Day: Labor Conditions at US-Owned Plantations Show Hidden Realities
of Flower Industry
First
Presbyterian Church/Church on the Edge in Edgewater, NJ has
produced Fairness in Flowers resources which
you can adapt freely for use in your congregation. You can download
the Word versions for that purpose.
How
You Can Help
How can
you tell if the flowers you are purchasing are produced in safe
working conditions with the farmers and laborers paid a fair
wage? There are several organizations that are certifying the
flower industry for fair trade and labor practices as well as
organic growing techniques. The organic companies include Organic
Bouquet, Veriflora and FFP, which ensures that the flowers are
produced without pesticides but does not necessarily ensure
good working conditions; and Transfair USA is working on a Fair
Trade certification for flowers, due to begin in late 2007.
Fair Labor Standards help respect core labor rights to implement
protective measures to protect the health and safety of workers
and provide and improve employee benefits.5
Fairness
in Flowers logo and information used with permission of International
Labor Relations Fund and their Fairness
in Flowers campaign
Taking
Action
When you
purchase flowers that are both fair trade-certified and
also organic, you ensure the workers are working in safe conditions
and are treated fairly. Don’t let the lives of the flower
workers fade along with the petals of the flowers.
Here are
steps you can take to help change the world for others!
- Be an
educated consumer and ask questions about the products you
purchase.
- Encourage
your local flower sellers to get educated on Transfair USA's
upcoming fair trade flower certification standards.
- Be informed
on the impacts of US Trade policies.
- Participate
in the ILRF Fairness in Flowers campaign
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Five
Questions to Ask Your Florist
You
can help support ILRF's Fairness in Flowers campaign and
ensure just and humane working conditions for the workers
who produce your flowers. When buying flowers for holidays
and celebrations ask your florist these 5 key questions:
- In
what country were your flowers produced?
- Are
you aware of the working conditions on the plantations
in that country?
- Do
the workers on the plantation have the right to organize
and bargain collectively for their rights?
- Does
the plantation produce its flowers organically? If not,
do workers have access to protective equipment?
- Do
workers get paid for overtime especially around peak
seasons like Valentine's Day?
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Change
the way you make your purchases
to help change the world for others!
Fairness
in Flowers Resources for Congregations
- Pastoral
Introduction
- Bulletin
Insert (full page/2 sides)
- Action
Sheet 1-page flyer regarding Dole and Wal-Mart from
International Labor Rights Fund
- Action
Sheet 2-page flyer with working conditions and addresses
of many flower retailers from U.S./Labor Education in the
Americas Project (US/LEAP)
- Short
Service Idea
This short service is to help us see each other as brothers
and sisters in Christ. Especially relevant with social justice
issues and encouraging participation in fair trade and sweat
free initiatives. A short homily can be added if desired to
supplement the scriptures and prayers.
Contact
Andrew Kang Bartlett to have Word documents of any of
these emailed to you.
More
Resources
About
Certification
What
are the benefits of Fair Trade Certified flowers?
Education
The Fair Trade premium, which is a portion of the retail price,
is often used to fund scholarships for continuing education,
classroom construction and to purchase school supplies.
“For
every Fair Trade Certified flower that we sell, a child is
able to study here in Ecuador. There are so many children
that cannot afford to go to school. For this reason, it’s
very important to buy Fair Trade flowers, because our children
are our future.”
Mariana Esquinato, Vice President of the Workers Committee,
Hoja Verde Farm
Empowering
Women
Discrimination and sexual harassment are prohibited on Fair
Trade Certified farms. Leadership positions must equally represent
women, giving women unprecedented access to empowerment. New
mothers receive 13 weeks of paid maternity leave, and upon return,
are given breaks and a quiet place to breastfeed.
“My
children learn from my position as a leader at the farm. I
feel proud, because this is a dignified job, one that I do
with pride. It allows me to look toward the future and imagine
a better life for my family. Here in this farm, there is a
big difference in the way we’re treated -- there is no
inequality between the workers. Women here can achieve as
much as men.”
Pila Rocha, Representative of Cultivation Areas & President
of the Joint Body, Jardines Piaveri Farm
Economic
Development Through Micro-Lending and Small Businesses
Workers on many farms choose to set up a micro-lending program
to help workers improve their houses or start a small business.
These low interest loans have been shown to be one of the most
successful community development tools.
“My
dream is to have a home, perhaps a small business. I want
to give my children the best I can. I don’t want the
same things that I experienced growing up to happen to them.
My parents only finished primary school, but I believe my
children will live a different life. I want my children to
study at the university. I am achieving the dream of giving
my daughter a better life.”
Luz Chancusig, Post Harvest Representative and Secretary
of the Joint Body, Jardines Piaveri Farm
Health
Care
Fair Trade Certified farms must provide on-site doctors and
regular check-ups for their workers. They also must pay social
security for each of their workers. Also, great care is taken
to protect workers whenever agrochemicals must be used. Workers
are required to wear complete protective clothing to work near
chemicals, and reentry times into the greenhouses are strictly
followed.
Thanks
to TransFair
USA for this section
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