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| At the Rosarium, we import our products only from the farms with the appropriate certifications. As part of our rigorous screening process we must ensure that the farm is fully certified when taking a newer South America farm into consideration. These certifications can include anything from fair wages and work hours for employees to proper pesticide use. |
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| Problems facing workers on flower farms |
| The Netherlands grows half of world flower exports. Developed countries control most of the relevant technology and expertise. However, a growing proportion of cut flowers are produced and exported by developing countries such as Kenya and Tanzania, in Africa and Colombia and Ecuador, in South America. In these countries, jobs in the flower industry are often insecure, with short-term contracts, offer low wages and no benefits. |
| Benefits of Fairtrade for workers |
| Fairtrade aims to protect and benefit workers on flowers farms by certifying those farms which ensure safety and good working conditions for their employees. Consumers can now purchase Fairtrade flowers with the assurance that the rights of the workers who have produced them are being respected. |
| Fairtrade standards for flowers |
| Among other things, Fairtrade standards for flowers ensure the following: |
- A Joint Body composed of workers and management is formed to manage the Fairtrade Premium, with workers given the veto in decision making.
- The Premium must be used for community development and improved working conditions.
- Forced labour and child labour of children under 15 years old is prohibited. Children aged 15 and over cannot do work that compromises their health or education.
- Workers have freedom of association and collective agreements. They have the right to establish or join an independent union, elect their advisors and design their own programmes.
- Salaries must be equal to or higher than the regional average or the minimum wage.
- Health and safety measures must be established in order to avoid work-related injuries. A detailed set of safety regulations specific to flower production limit the use of agrochemicals and prohibit the use of banned pesticides.
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| Copyright ? 2009 Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International |
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| FlorEcuador? is the Socio-environmental Certification of Expoflores; a program of self management which looks to achieve compliance with social and environmental standards on the part of the flower farms of Ecuador |
| FlorEcuador? promotes the continual improvement in socio-environmental management and practice; integrating the control of impact on the environment and socially sustained by the farms' activities and products. |
| EXPOFLORES / FlorEcuador?: Av. Amazonas y Rep?blica, Ed. Las C?maras, 12vo piso |
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