Produce industry releases plan for ending abusive Mexican farm labor conditions
`North America’s largest produce industry groups have unveiled a plan aimed at ridding abusive labor conditions from supply chains, in a closely watched effort prompted by growing demand from consumers to know more about the food they eat. The so-called “Ethical Charter” is an attempt to get thousands of growers, distributors and retailers to follow basic values governing the treatment of workers, many of whom toil on large export farms in Mexico... The two-page draft, while containing few detailed proposals, calls for industry players to respect all laws and principles inspired by “international expectations.”... It pledges to create transparent and accessible channels for laborers to communicate workplace complaints. And it commits to integrating social responsibility goals with purchasing practices.
The plan, drawn up by the Produce Marketing Assn. and the United Fresh Produce Assn., is getting a mixed, sometimes harsh, reaction from labor and consumer groups, and comes amid signs of continuing supply-chain troubles. In November, Mexican authorities rescued 81 laborers at a farm operated by a large exporter [Grupo GR] that supplies tomatoes and other vegetables to U.S. retailers including Walmart and Kroger... Industry critics [including United Farm Workers] said they were hoping for a proposal with clear enforcement mechanisms...
Without audits by trained inspectors, for example, any plan to raise worker standards can’t be taken seriously, said Emily Miggins, a former sustainability manager at Safeway... [She added,] “This is exactly what I would say is the definition of greenwashing.”
Tom Stenzel, president of the Washington, D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Assn., stressed that the plan is a work in progress and that the organizations look forward to getting feedback during a comment period ending Feb. 20... But Stenzel said verification mechanisms would not be imposed on association members under the draft plan. Businesses would decide on their own whether to use independent monitors to meet the ethical goals. [also refers to Driscoll's]