Randzio-Plath calls for action over work conditions in floral industry

Date: 23/05/02

By Peter Chapman

OVERSEAS flower-pickers are paid a pittance and risk poisoning from pesticides in order to feed Europe's demand for bouquets, a senior MEP has warned.

Christa Randzio-Plath, chair of the Parliament's economic and monetary affairs committee, said the EU should use its muscle to improve the conditions of workers in Latin America and Africa who service the world's biggest cut flowers market.

'Flower pickers and packers of both sexes work for derisory wages, on dubious contracts, frequently without any suitable apparel to protect them against pesticide poisoning and in constant danger of falling ill,' said the German socialist.

Major Latin American suppliers include Colombia and Ecuador - where thick-stemmed roses are a speciality. Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia are the leading African producers.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) also has concerns about the industry - though it says the sector could boost employment in poor countries.

In response, Commission trade chief Pascal Lamy said his policy was to encourage producers to comply with ILO labour standards.

These should apply 'globally and in all sectors of the economy, including the flower trade', he added, and were supported by the 'generalised system of preferences' which grants special access to the EU for poor countries which respect core labour standards.

Overseas flower-pickers are paid a pittance and risk poisoning from pesticides in order to feed Europe's demand for bouquets, a senior MEP has warned.