About 10 years ago, various trade unions and social justice and environmental NGOs (non governmental organisations) worldwide started the international flower campaign. The aim of the campaign is twofold: to improve conditions for workers in the flower industry and to stimulate sustainable production of cut flowers. The collaboration between unions and NGOs resulted in the International Code of Conduct for the Production of Cut Flowers (ICC). The standards of this Code are based on International Labour Organisation criteria and international conventions and/or treaties. The International Code of Conduct has already been accepted by the international industry united in Union Fleurs. The joint efforts of industry, NGOs and trade unions represent the most effective way to improve working conditions and sustainable production.

 

Production of cut flowers

 

The cultivation of cut flowers is a global phenomenon. More and more countries are involved in the production and trade of cut flowers. Globalisation has increased the scale of the cut flower industry worldwide. Interest in a more sustainable way of production exists among producers.

 

Exposed to pesticides every day many workers damage their health. Permanent contracts for workers are seldom in place. Unions are not always welcome at the plantation. Minimum wages do not afford a decent life and living wages are difficult to negotiate. Women workers are regularly subject to sexual harassment. These are just some of the problems the Code of Conduct serves to solve.
 

It is vital that workers are informed about their rights. Workers on certified farms must know the contents of the Code of Conduct. In fact, they are the persons, who can best monitor the farm's compliance or non-compliance with the criteria set out in the Code of Conduct. In case of abuse, workers must know where and to whom they can safely launch a complaint. Improving working and environmental conditions is a vital objective of the flower campaign, which cannot be achieved without the involvement of workers, trade unions and NGOs. Basic requirements are formulated within the Code. Where national law surpasses the Code on certain issues, national law prevails. The standards in the Code are the absolute minimum requirements, and must be met by the producers before plantations can be certified.

 

 

 

The industry has developed several schemes to reduce the use of chemical detergents, electricity, water and other inputs. Recently, producers show a growing interest in socially responsible entrepreneurship. They are realizing that consumers value not only an environmentally friendly way of production but also good working conditions for workers.

 

A Code of Conduct concerning social standards and backed up by trade unions and NGOs gives credibility to a flower label. Internationally accredited bodies guarantee independent monitoring and control of producer compliance with the criteria of the Code. Local associated unions and NGO partners monitor the flower sector and have the right to observe the various audits carried out on the certified farms.

 

Working conditions

In high-wage countries, the number of workers on flower plantations is limited, due to relatively high minimum wages. In many of the low-wage countries, minimum salary guarantees don't exist. In these countries, many workers are employed and exploited. A substantial amount of workers in the cut flower industry are female. Unfortunately; working conditions are far from favourable.

Basic requirements are formulated within the Code. Where national law surpasses the Code on certain issues, national law prevails. The standards in the Code are the absolute minimum requirements, and must be met by the producers before plantations can be certified.

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