Mar 24 2007
Fairness for farm workers too
Fair Trade for British Farmers is a new campaign to raise awareness of the problems faced by British farmers and how choosing fairly traded and priced British food can help. Country Living magazine and the Farmers Guardian are leading the campaign, with the support of Waitrose.
Our daily shopping choices shape farming and the food system, from the viability of farming and the farmed landscape to the conditions of everyone working to produce food. The campaign focuses on the plight of farmers and the landscape, but makes no mention of other workers in the food and farming industry.
Express your support by signing the Fair Trade for British Farmers online petition, but use the message of support box to express concern for the conditions endured by food and farming workers as well as farmers - “British farmers deserve support and fair prices, but fair wages, conditions and treatment are essential for all workers in the food and farming industry.”
Downward pressure on food prices has forced down wages and led to sometimes appalling conditions for these workers. Many are immigrants, since British workers simply aren’t desperate enough to do this type of work under these terms.Three reports published by DEFRA in 2005 suggested that between 400,000 and 600,000 temporary workers are employed on farms and in packhouses. According to these reports, “cost pressure from large retailers”, demands for flexibility and more intense working are forcing suppliers to find foreign workers who are “poorer”, “more desperate” and “likely to be more compliant”.
The introduction of compulsory licensing of gangmasters / labour providers in agriculture from 1st December 2006 may help to curb some of the worst practices, but strict enforcement and public awareness are vital.
Don’t forget the unseen workers.
