How do we change and build?
Wednesday, 13 November, 2002
Lesley Beake
The launch of the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association
Perhaps the two words that have had most impact recently on the British supermarket industry are ‘organic’ and ‘ethical.’ Both reflect an increasing awareness by the general public of how a product is grown or manufactured, where a product comes from, and the working conditions under which it is produced.
Which is no bad thing. After the super-consumer years of the eighties and early nineties, when customers wearing sweatshop-pirated brands piled their trolleys with food of dubious origin and provenance, this concern for the purity of product (even when ‘organic’ is incorrectly used by the public to mean something like ‘wholesome’) is having an effect on marketing trends.
Make that a ripple effect. Public opinion (and even demand) has forced retailers to look closely at these aspects of their business. They don’t just purchase coffee from Kenya, for example, without having a pretty clear idea of working conditions and production methods. They don’t just stock clothing originating in India, for example, without being certain that children are not being exploited during manufacture.
And they don’t just buy wine from South Africa, for example, without seeing a clear code of labour practice in operation. Which is what the Stellenbosch launch of the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association was all about.
Nicky Taylor, coordinator of the working group that has been responsible for beginning the process, made it clear that there is still much to be achieved in setting up the association. ‘We are hoping to include local retailers, as well as UK companies, and eventually extend the process to include European and American buyers.’ She also acknowledged the difficulties of monitoring an inspection team. ‘Even monitoring the six volunteer producers {in the initial pilot project} was a lot of work. This need to be extended and linked to other organizations within the sector.’
Basic issues being looked at from wine producers who join the association are:
Prohibition of child labour
Prohibition of forced labour
A safe and healthy work environment
Freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively
No unfair discrimination of any kind
Fair disciplinary measures
Regulated working hours
A living wage
Regular employment
Housing and tenure security
All of these issues have already been, and are currently being, addressed by the various government and labour organizations concerned - and much has been achieved in many aspects of labour relations and working conditions.
But this new initiative provides a position (and one that is supported by labour organizations) from which to monitor progress. In a carrot and stick approach to improving South Africa’s image abroad, producers will find it harder to sell their products if they are not able to demonstrate that they have a sound code of labour practice.
Leaving aside, for the moment, the political background of South Africa (if such a thing is even possible) the nature of agricultural work worldwide leaves workers at risk from the effects of seasonal production crises, dangerous chemicals and sprays and weather conditions. Their remoteness from urban housing makes them susceptible to exploitation in tied-housing schemes on farms and their dependence on the employer for housing (and often some of their daily necessities and staple foods) makes them vulnerable to a debt-and-deductions problem.
The Ethical Trading Association will provide a platform for dialogue between concerned parties on all of these maters, as well as an opportunity for forward planning. Ms Siyanda Zondeki, Provincial Executive Manager for the Department of Labour remarked that, ‘… this work cannot be achieved by Government alone. Employees must be part of the process. And employers need to embrace the logic of enhancing skills. For this they will be rewarded by government grants and government participation.’
So … there are the carrots, easier sales overseas and government grants. Where are the sticks?
As I understand it, the Ethical Trading Association sees themselves as a focus for positive change and development, rather than a way of policing an industry. They believe that producers will want to join – and intend to keep membership fees low in an effort to attract as many as possible.
By implication, producers will also need to join. The UK Supermarket and Ethical Trading Initiative representatives present at the launch (Ian Burgess of Co-operative Retail, Dan Rees, Director of ETI in Britain and Graeme de Bruyn, Regional Organizer Educator: COSATU) were impressively clear in their commitment to this initiative.
Many of the items on the list of good labour practices sought by the association are already part of South African law. Basic conditions of employment (and abuse thereof) is dealt with very firmly by the Department of Labour, but there will always be room for further negotiation and improvement.
As Graham De Bryn of FAWU (Farm and Agricultural Workers Union?) said in his witty and focused address, ‘We are looking at the realities under which farm workers work and live, but the time to be antagonistic is over. This is a living and realistic opportunity to ask … how do we change and build?’
How indeed. May this new association go well, and stay well.