Social Toward a better image of the working conditions in floriculture management SOC1: I SET UP CONDITIONS TO KEEP UP THE SOCIAL PERFORMANCE
SOC2: I DO HAVE GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS
Floriculture is one of the industries that require a large labour force with limited skills. The production involves grading, packing, harvesting, tending beds, watering and so on. In India many of the workers are poor and vulnerable to exploitation. The bad working conditions are more and more an obstacle for customers from developed countries which can
SOC3 : I IMPLEMENT THE SOCIAL PERFOMANCE TO THE STRATEGY
choose a flower which comes from a developed country where the workers are probably better treated. Implement a social strategy is a way to seek for a n e w d e m a n d . T h e recommendations of the Ethical Trade Initiative, an international label and the ILO will guide the establishment of best social practices.
SOC1: I SET UP CONDITIONS TO KEEP UP THE SOCIAL PERFORMANCE
Set up conditions to keep up the social performance means that the company provides resources to manage the social improvement. It involves criterias of recruitment which respect human rights but it also involves people among managers and workers who are spokespersons and responsible of the project
BENEFITS The social aspects of work in floriculture are more and more watched by NGOs and occidental consumer which is the target of your cluster. In Kenya, serious violations of the human rights were reported and pushed the company to re-think their model. Beyond that, the social performance will prevent from social rebellion and will assure a better management of human resources. It means to be able to adapt the work force to any change of the production process. Responsible persons had to be designed to conduct the social improvements.
STEPS 1. You need a responsible of the working conditions among managers. It has to be someone who is comfortable to discuss with employees, someone who has good interpersonal skills. 2. Design a spokesperson among your employees. He can be chosen by the employees to be more legitimate 3. Your criterias of recruitments have to include no child labour, employment freely chosen and no discrimination
REFERENCES Smith, S. et al (2004), Ethical Trade in African Horticulture: gender, rights and participation, Genderandtrade.org
SOC2: I DO HAVE GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS
The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at work (ILO, 1998) written by the International Labour Organisation, an agency from the UN define standards as fundamental rights at work. These standards are grouped in four categories: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labor, the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. As a member of the ILO, India respects those fundamentals rights and labour laws are the same in every state. These are the basics to provide good working conditions.
BENEFITS By respecting basic fundamentals of the human rights at work, the company will be able to communicate about it and to become a model and an attractive place to work.
REFERENCES ILO, 1998 The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at work http://www.ilo.org/declaration/lang--en/index.htm
EXAMPLES
STEPS 1. You register the work-related accidents 2. You have a device control for the working hours
A Register example : Name of injured worker__________________________________________________________ Occupation or job title___________________________________________________________
3. You offer at least the minimum wage to all of the workers?
Date of injury____Hour ____ am/pm Worker’s exact location at time of injury___________________________________________ Exact description of how injury sustained__________________________________________ Nature of injury and body parts affected__________________________________________ Details of treatment given________________________________________________________ Return to work : yes/no Name of witness (if any) to the injury______________________________________________ Name of person making entry____________________________________________________
Signature_________________________________________Date of entry_______
SOC3 : I IMPLEMENT THE SOCIAL PERFOMANCE TO THE STRATEGY
Social performance is not just about profits for the society, it will be a competitive advantage for the company. The condition is to implement it into the company’s strategy. Each crucial decision about the production process, about how to make create value has to be thought with the human resources. A more ethic trade approach will be valued for the company and their clients. To be internationally recognised the Ethical Trade Initiative label wich is based on ILO standards will be an interesting target. It is a label supported by well known groups as Tesco, Sainsbury, M&S which could be potential retailers but also holding of horticulture. They have an expertise in floriculture in Kenya so they are able to propose a well-adapt support.
BENEFITS Having a real management of human resources will assure to the company to be more competitive. First by having the right human to the right place with the right job and then by showing to the developed countries that they are ethical.
STEPS 1. Establish a monitoring committee in the cluster to control the social performance. 2.Adapt the ETI base code to your industry with the responsible(s) and spokesperson(s). 3. Prepare the cluster to apply for the Ethical Trade Initiative label.
REFERENCES ETI, (2011) The flower industry http://www.ethicaltrade.org/in-action/ issues/the-flower-industry