Cultivating change to flower workers' conditions

In 2002, ETI was alerted to serious labour rights violations in the Kenyan flower industry. Action taken by members in response to the allegations helped establish productive dialogue in both Kenya and the UK, which in turn led to significant improvements in worker welfare.

Why we took action

The Kenyan cut flower industry has grown rapidly in recent years and now provides vital income for up to two million people. It relies on a large supply of cheap labour, and a lot of the jobs involved - such as grading, packing, harvesting, tending beds and watering - require limited skills. Many of the workers employed are poor and vulnerable to exploitation.

In 2002, ETI and its members were alerted to serious violations of the ETI Base Code in the Kenyan flower industry. Abuse of a variety of labour rights were found, including low pay, poor health and safety (particularly in pesticide handling), poor housing, excessive overtime, abusive supervisors, sexual harassment, and barriers to freedom of association.

There were also concerns that these issues had not come to light earlier, despite extensive auditing and initiatives to address labour standards on farms supplying ETI member companies.

Building dialogue and improving working conditions

After hearing the allegations, a group of ETI members visited Kenya to meet workers and talk to other players in the flower industry. The aim was to facilitate collective action to address some of the most pressing issues for workers.

The visit helped build platforms for ongoing dialogue, including between agricultural worker unions and industry bodies.

With ETI's help, Kenyan stakeholders - including NGOs, government and industry - formed the Horticultural Ethical Business Initiative (HEBI), the aim of which was to work together to tackle flower workers' conditions. ETI members encouraged their suppliers to take part in dialogue in Kenya through HEBI and industry bodies.

While there is still work to be done, changes to the audit process and in the purchasing practices of ETI members have led to a number improvements for workers in Kenya, including: more permanent contracts; establishment of worker welfare and gender committees; better provision of protective equipment; stricter pesticide controls; and extensive improvements in housing. More women now have access to daycare facilities and there is general acceptance that pregnant women should have light duties.

Applying Kenya's lessons elsewhere

Although work initially focused on Kenya, ETI members that source flowers have been applying this learning to other areas of their supply chain. In April 2007, ETI brought Colombian flower exporters, trade unions and companies sourcing from Colombia to the discussion table for the first time. All parties agreed to establish the first-ever multistakeholder forum for addressing workers' rights in the floriculture industry. This was a major achievement in a country where murders of hundreds of trade unionists in recent years have made it very difficult for any constructive debate to take place between companies and trade unions on labour rights.