# CE2004065EN.01003001.xml

| 13.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 65/30 |
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13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 65/30

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(2004/C 65 E/030)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0466/03

by Christa Randzio-Plath (PSE) to the Commission

(20 February 2003)

Subject:   Working conditions of employees in the flower industry

Subject:

Europe is still the largest market for cut flowers, in particular from Latin America and Africa. Employees in the flower sector work for extremely low wages with insecure employment contracts, frequently without appropriate protective clothing as a precaution against poisoning by pesticides and other serious health hazards. The first successes of the campaign for better working conditions — e.g. the use of appropriate protective clothing for women — are being seen in Ecuador, while in other countries paid maternity leave exists. However, these remain the exception.

| 1. | In the light of this situation, does the Commission consider that adequate progress has been made, with the application of the revised EU Generalised System of Preferences as an incentive to the protection of social rights, towards respect for fundamental working standards and/or is it planning further measures in the context of trade and cooperation agreements with a view to improving working conditions for employees in the flower industry? |
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1.

In the light of this situation, does the Commission consider that adequate progress has been made, with the application of the revised EU Generalised System of Preferences as an incentive to the protection of social rights, towards respect for fundamental working standards and/or is it planning further measures in the context of trade and cooperation agreements with a view to improving working conditions for employees in the flower industry?

| 2. | What other instruments is the Union using to help achieve better working and health conditions? |
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2.

What other instruments is the Union using to help achieve better working and health conditions?

| 3. | To what extent is the Commission making use of the grant of development cooperation appropriations, not only in general to improve working conditions, but in particular to eliminate the poor conditions for flower workers? |
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3.

To what extent is the Commission making use of the grant of development cooperation appropriations, not only in general to improve working conditions, but in particular to eliminate the poor conditions for flower workers?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2003)

(1 April 2003)

| 1. | Central American and Andean countries have become highly specialised in exporting products of Sector V (trees, plants and cut flowers) under the Community's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and particularly under its ‘special arrangements to combat drug production and trafficking (drugs regime)’. As a result of this and in line with agreed EU rules related to GSP, it is proposed to graduate countries such as Costa Rica and Colombia out of the GSP scheme for this sector.
  The ‘drugs regime’ is meant to assist the beneficiary countries in their struggle to combat illicit productions by providing them with export opportunities for substitution crops. This may also improve their sustainable development by fostering environmental protection and the respect of fundamental social rights.
  The Commission monitors each beneficiary country's efforts in combating drug production and trafficking. In addition, it is also called upon to evaluate each country's social development, in particular the respect and promotion of core labour standards, as well as its environmental policy. The Commission informs each beneficiary country of its evaluation and invites it to comment. It will also take into account the results of this evaluation when establishing guidelines for a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the decade 2005-2014. Thus, the drug regime establishes a dialogue with the beneficiary countries, providing the Union with the possibility to stress the importance of sustainable development and the need to respect its principles.
  In this context, it is only at the end of the current GSP Regulation (i.e. 31 December 2004), that it will be possible to fully assess the progress made by these countries in the protection of labour standards, particularly in sectors such as the flower industry.
  As regards bilateral agreements, the Commission communication ‘Promoting Core Labour Standards and Improving Social Governance in the Context of Globalisation’ (1), suggested inclusion of core labour standards as an integral element, thus following the approach taken in the EC-ACP Partnership Agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (the Cotonou Agreement). Specifically, the agreement between the European Union and Chile signed in November 2002 includes a special section (Title V) on cooperation in social matters. The latter spells out commitments to promoting fundamental labour rights, taking into account the rules of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It sets out among priority measures for cooperation in particular (Article 44): promoting human development, the reduction of poverty and the fight against social exclusion; developing and modernising labour relations, working conditions, social welfare and employment security; giving priority to education and training programmes aimed at vulnerable social groups. The agreement with Chile will in this respect serve as a model in current negotiations with Mercosur.
  Moreover core labour standards are part of the human rights clause, which forms part of bilateral co-operation agreements. In its Communication on The European Union's Role in Promoting Human Rights and Democratisation (2), the Commission proposed as part of the political dialogue discussing with partner countries how ratification of the fundamental human rights instruments and other rights-based international agreements (in particular ILO conventions) and their effective implementation could be pursued. The Commission believes that respect for social rights and core labour standards contribute to durable and equitable social and economic development. |
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1.

Central American and Andean countries have become highly specialised in exporting products of Sector V (trees, plants and cut flowers) under the Community's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and particularly under its ‘special arrangements to combat drug production and trafficking (drugs regime)’. As a result of this and in line with agreed EU rules related to GSP, it is proposed to graduate countries such as Costa Rica and Colombia out of the GSP scheme for this sector.

The ‘drugs regime’ is meant to assist the beneficiary countries in their struggle to combat illicit productions by providing them with export opportunities for substitution crops. This may also improve their sustainable development by fostering environmental protection and the respect of fundamental social rights.

The Commission monitors each beneficiary country's efforts in combating drug production and trafficking. In addition, it is also called upon to evaluate each country's social development, in particular the respect and promotion of core labour standards, as well as its environmental policy. The Commission informs each beneficiary country of its evaluation and invites it to comment. It will also take into account the results of this evaluation when establishing guidelines for a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the decade 2005-2014. Thus, the drug regime establishes a dialogue with the beneficiary countries, providing the Union with the possibility to stress the importance of sustainable development and the need to respect its principles.

In this context, it is only at the end of the current GSP Regulation (i.e. 31 December 2004), that it will be possible to fully assess the progress made by these countries in the protection of labour standards, particularly in sectors such as the flower industry.

As regards bilateral agreements, the Commission communication ‘Promoting Core Labour Standards and Improving Social Governance in the Context of Globalisation’ (1), suggested inclusion of core labour standards as an integral element, thus following the approach taken in the EC-ACP Partnership Agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (the Cotonou Agreement). Specifically, the agreement between the European Union and Chile signed in November 2002 includes a special section (Title V) on cooperation in social matters. The latter spells out commitments to promoting fundamental labour rights, taking into account the rules of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It sets out among priority measures for cooperation in particular (Article 44): promoting human development, the reduction of poverty and the fight against social exclusion; developing and modernising labour relations, working conditions, social welfare and employment security; giving priority to education and training programmes aimed at vulnerable social groups. The agreement with Chile will in this respect serve as a model in current negotiations with Mercosur.

1

Moreover core labour standards are part of the human rights clause, which forms part of bilateral co-operation agreements. In its Communication on The European Union's Role in Promoting Human Rights and Democratisation (2), the Commission proposed as part of the political dialogue discussing with partner countries how ratification of the fundamental human rights instruments and other rights-based international agreements (in particular ILO conventions) and their effective implementation could be pursued. The Commission believes that respect for social rights and core labour standards contribute to durable and equitable social and economic development.

2

| 2. | In its communication, the Commission presented a comprehensive strategy, suggesting action at European and international levels, by public and private actors alike, and in all relevant policies: social, external relations, development and trade. The Community strategy aims to create incentives and build capacity for countries to implement and respect core labour standards globally and in all sectors of the economy, including the flower trade in Latin America and Africa.
  A concrete step has been the adoption by the Council of a revised generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme. The social incentive scheme — which grants additional preferences to countries that respect the core labour standards — was improved and the basis for temporary withdrawal of the general preferences was extended to cover grave and serious infringement of all ILO core conventions, including those related to child labour. |
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2.

In its communication, the Commission presented a comprehensive strategy, suggesting action at European and international levels, by public and private actors alike, and in all relevant policies: social, external relations, development and trade. The Community strategy aims to create incentives and build capacity for countries to implement and respect core labour standards globally and in all sectors of the economy, including the flower trade in Latin America and Africa.

A concrete step has been the adoption by the Council of a revised generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme. The social incentive scheme — which grants additional preferences to countries that respect the core labour standards — was improved and the basis for temporary withdrawal of the general preferences was extended to cover grave and serious infringement of all ILO core conventions, including those related to child labour.

| 3. | No specific initiatives are in place in the development and co-operation framework to improve working conditions for flower workers.
  However in general terms, the Commission communication on core labour standards suggested increased funding from bilateral sources and ILO technical assistance programmes for the promotion of core labour standards. Funding has been allocated under the European initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (Chapter Β7-7 of the EU budget) for projects tackling the issue of trafficking, child labour and slavery. Such support complements the assistance channelled through country-specific programmes, in which social development and labour standards are integral elements. |
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3.

No specific initiatives are in place in the development and co-operation framework to improve working conditions for flower workers.

However in general terms, the Commission communication on core labour standards suggested increased funding from bilateral sources and ILO technical assistance programmes for the promotion of core labour standards. Funding has been allocated under the European initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (Chapter Β7-7 of the EU budget) for projects tackling the issue of trafficking, child labour and slavery. Such support complements the assistance channelled through country-specific programmes, in which social development and labour standards are integral elements.

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(1)  COM(2001) 416 final.

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(2)  COM(2001) 252 final.

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