REPORTS ON THE ETI IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2006
The ETI code of labour practice: Do workers really benefit?

About this report

This report provides a more detailed account of the findings and recommendations from the South Africa (fruit) case study, one of five in-depth case studies carried out as part of the ETI Impact Assessment. It will be relevant to all those involved in monitoring and improving labour conditions in the export fruit sector in South Africa, including retailers and brands, agents and suppliers, auditors, NGOs and trade unions.

The report provides:

• An overview of the scope of the case study and how it was conducted
• Relevant background information on the South African fruit industry
• An account of the impacts of codes in fruit farms and packhouses in South Africa, and of the key labour issues that remain to be addressed
• A description of the code implementation activities undertaken by buying companies and suppliers
• An analysis of the key factors found to affect impact, and
• Recommendations on how to improve the impact of codes in the South African fruit sector.

 

 

Detailed contents

• Contents
• Foreword

• 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Rationale for this case study
  • 1.2 Who was involved in the study
  • 1.3 Types of value chains studied
  • 1.4 Research methods
  • 1.5 Worker sample
  • 1.6 Limitations
• 2 Background on the South African fruit industry
  • 2.1 Size of sector and recent trends
  • 2.2 Other background information
• 3 Key impacts found
  • 3.1 Summary of worksite impacts by Base Code principle
  • 3.2 Impact by Base Code principle
    • 3.2.1 Employment is freely chosen
    • 3.2.2 Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
    • 3.2.3 Working conditions are safe and hygienic
    • 3.2.4 Child labour shall not be used
    • 3.2.5 Living wages are paid
    • 3.2.6 Working hours are not excessive
    • 3.2.7 No discrimination is practised
    • 3.2.8 Regular employment is provided
    • 3.2.9 No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
  • 3.3 Other worksite impacts
  • 3.4 Key issues remaining
    • 3.4.1 Employment is freely chosen
    • 3.4.2 Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining are respected
    • 3.4.3 Health and safety
    • 3.4.4 Living wage is paid
    • 3.4.5 Working hours
    • 3.4.6 No discrimination is practised
    • 3.4.7 Regular employment is provided
    • 3.4.8 No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
  • 3.5 Impacts by type of worker
    • 3.5.1 Impacts by employment status
    • 3.5.2 Impacts by gender/ethnicity
  • 3.6 Wider impacts
    • 3.6.1 Poverty/community impacts
    • 3.6.2 Other intended and unintended impacts
• 4 Management approaches to code implementation
  • 4.1 Overview of code management approaches
  • 4.2 Communication
  • 4.3 Monitoring
  • 4.4 Capacity building
  • 4.5 Integration with core business
• 5 Key factors affecting impact
  • 5.1 Key factors related to the value chain
  • 5.2 Legislative context and other influences on change
• 6 Recommendations
  • 6.1 Recommendations from suppliers and other local stakeholders
    • 6.1.1 Communication and building awareness of codes
    • 6.1.2 Monitoring
    • 6.1.3 Capacity building
    • 6.1.4 Integration into core business
  • 6.2 Recommendations from the Research Team

 

 

Downloads

Download PART 2c (South Africa) in PDF format [PDF, 483kb]

Clickable list of all reports in this series.

 

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This series of reports has been prepared by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the views expressed do not necesarily represent the views of ETI or of its member organisations. IDS is responsible for the accuracy of information contained in the document and its recommendations have not necessarily been endorsed by ETI.

© Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 2006

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See also:

A preliminary response by the Ethical Trading Initiative to IDS’ study (19 October 2006)

ETI Activities: Research projects: Impact assessment

ETI Activities: Experimental projects: Former projects: South Africa (wine)

ETI Events: Conferences: Biennial conference 2005: Workshop - Assessing our impact

ETI Resources: Other resources: Impact assessment