WRITTEN QUESTION E-0528/02

by Christa Randzio-Plath (PSE) to the Commission

(25 February 2002)

Subject: Working conditions in the flower trade

In Europe, on 14 February, St Valentine's Day, lovers give each other flowers. Most of those flowers come from countries outside Europe. Cut flowers are imported into Europe principally from Latin America and Africa. Europe is the largest market for cut flowers. Flower pickers and packers of both sexes work for derisory wages, on dubious contracts, frequently without any suitable apparel to protect them against pesticide poisoning and in constant danger of falling ill.

1. What measures is the European Commission taking in trade and cooperation agreements in order to help bring about better working conditions for men and women working in the flower trade?

2. To what extent does the Commission use the granting of development cooperation funds in order to eliminate the problems faced by workers in the flower trade?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2002)

In its communication Promoting Core Labour Standards and Improving Social Governance in the Context of Globalisation(1), 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 International Labour Organisation (ILO) core conventions, including those related to child labour.

As regards bilateral agreements, the Commission communication 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, future agreements between the European Union and Mercosur and Chile will include a special section on cooperation in social, cultural and work-related matters, e.g.:

- respect for and promotion of the principles relating to fundamental labour rights, taking into account the rules of the ILO;

- the development and modernisation of labour relations, working conditions, social welfare and employment security;

- the development and modernisation of working relations and processes, with emphasis on the stimulation of a social dialogue;

- giving priority to education and training programmes aimed at vulnerable social groups, in respect of employment and work retraining;

- the promotion of programmes in the field of work inspection, professional education and training, international migration of workers and frontier development.

It should be noted that 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.

In terms of funding, 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 B7-7 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.

(1) COM(2001) 416 final.

(2) COM(2001) 252 final.