NEW UK LEGISLATION ON TACKLING SLAVERY: the implications for South African fruit exporters
I recently read an interesting article in the SA Fruit Journal about the New UK Legislation on slavery within the workplace and the effects of it on the SA fruit industry. It was an eye opener to really appreciate what labour has been put in on the food we are eating, and before demanding cheaper produce I will definitely think twice about the people behind the food and that families need to be able to survive on little wages and extreme working conditions. Please read the below article by Cindy Berman.
“Britain remains a key market for South Africa’s fruit farms, with many growers supplying apples, grapes and citrus to UK retail members of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), an organisation that supports companies to improve working conditions in their supply chains. Now, the ETI is advising South African exporters that UK buyers will expect their local contacts to ensure there is no forced labour on their farms. This follows the passing of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, believed to be the world’s toughest anti-slavery legislation. Any UK-based business with a turnover of more than £36 million (R784 million) must report at the most senior level on what they are doing to identify and tackle the risk of recruiting and employing workers who have been trafficked, or are working under forced labour conditions. “Modern slavery is a hidden problem,” says ETI spokesperson Cindy Berman. “It’s fuelled by poverty and unemployment, workers desperate for a job at any cost and people willing and able to exploit them ruthlessly.” Berman says that the biggest single risk factor in South Africa is contract labour employed on farms via contractor agencies. “Workers employed under these contracts are very vulnerable to exploitation, harassment and discrimination, particularly migrant and women workers.” Many farms may not be aware that they are employing highly vulnerable workers, who have no choice about who employs them, or the terms and conditions under which they work. “A worker may have paid huge sums to a recruiter, and this could put them in a situation of debt bondage,” Berman advises. “They may have their wages withheld, be forced to work extremely long hours or face verbal or physical abuse and threats.” Berman warns that even if a fruit processor or farm does not directly employ a worker whose employment conditions could fit within the UK definition of modern slavery, they will still be held responsible for that worker, because, she explains, “Their labour is used for the benefit of the company or farm.” Berman continues, “If fruit pickers and packers don’t have the right to organise, and if control and choice over the terms and conditions of their employment is precarious, with wages below minimum levels and very long working hours, then workers may well be considered to be working in slavery.” The UK Act is wide-ranging and defines modern slavery as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Child labour is automatically defined as slavery. A 2015 ETI survey found that over 70% of UK brands believe that there is a likelihood of modern slavery occurring at some point within their supply chains, even those companies that are committed to acting responsibly and ethically. British importers are therefore very aware of the business risk and are likely to become increasingly rigorous in searching out slavery and holding their suppliers to account. Furthermore, Berman points out that the issues affect not only the UK. New legislation is also emerging in other European countries and the USA. “Human rights, forced labour and modern slavery is on the table in a big way.” After 18 years of successfully facilitating collaboration between companies and their suppliers to the benefit of workers, ETI recommends a partnership approach as the best way to address complex issues such as modern slavery. It recommends bringing all parties together, including NGOs and trade unions to share their different perspectives, information and expertise to find practical solutions. Berman believes such action is an imperative. “All major brands and retailers will be asking difficult questions of their suppliers over the next few weeks, months and years. The media too is sniffing around for stories, with campaigning NGOs increasingly vigilant. This is not going away and all companies – big or small – must wake up to the fact,” she says.”
I am for one, very happy about the implementation of the Legislation and if higher food costs will be a result, I will be happy to pay more. People should not have to suffer in their workplace nor not receive a respectable salary for their work done.