Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices
In July 2018, the fresh produce industry, through the work of a joint committee of the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, launched the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices. EFI applauds this industry-wide acknowledgment of the importance of fair working conditions which essentially elevated labor concerns to the same level as food safety among priorities for the produce sector.
About the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices
Background
Based on a foundation of employment law, good management systems and sound occupational safety and health practices, the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices is the culmination of an industry-wide initiative to set the standard for responsible labor practices in the fresh produce and floral industries.
What’s in the Ethical Charter?
The Ethical Charter includes 13 standards in three sections:
- Respect for Laws at Work: Legal Compliance; Occupational Safety & Health; Wages & Benefits; and Working Hours
- Respect for Human Rights: Employment is Freely Chosen; Freedom of Association; Humane Treatment and Non-Harassment; Non-Discrimination; and Protection of Children and Young Workers
- Respect for Professional Conduct: Communication and Worker Protections; Ethical Recruitment; Responsible Purchasing Practices; Management Systems and Continuous Improvement
Breaking New Ground in the Industry
The third section of the charter breaks new ground in the fresh produce industry by speaking to some of the components of a healthy, productive, efficient workplace culture. The standards in this section address communication between workers and managers, how recruitment happens and violations in recruitment whether foreign or domestic.
By addressing management systems and continuous improvement, this section of the Ethical Charter looks beyond the need for right behavior from industry players and puts a focus on making sure there are actual systems, controls and measures in place for a farming operation to ensure worker voice and agency.
As an industry-wide initiative, the principles in the Respect for Professional Conduct section are not just about supplier behavior, but also about the buying community recognizing the support that it can provide suppliers in upholding the principles of the Charter.
EFI’s Role In Supporting the Ethical Charter
EFI wants to help make the Ethical Charter a meaningful tool for industry change by shining a bright light on the companies that live by its principles and are committed to training and empowering the farmworkers who are closest to our food. Our Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured label helps consumers and produce buyers recognize growers who are industry leaders that invest in and listen to their workers. When seeking EFI certification, fresh produce grower-shippers can opt to be audited to the Ethical Charter Addendum which includes all provisions of the Ethical Charter.
Tying Together Food Safety and Ethical Charter
EFI has always maintained that food safety is rooted in worker dignity and depends on a healthy and collaborative workplace culture that values the voice and experience of all whose hard work brings healthy fresh produce to the marketplace. By adopting the principles of the Ethical Charter and meeting third-party certifications such as EFI, growers are ensuring that their workers are engaged, trained and ready to identify and mitigate food safety issues.
On Demand Webinar
Learn more about how responsible recruitment addresses the greatest risks to the industry and available tools and resources.
Speakers include:
- Norma Encinas, CIERTO Global
- Kenton Harmer, EFI
Reach Out to Get Started Today
Contact us to discuss how the EFI Program could be introduced to your farming operation to implement principles from the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices.
