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Pamela RobinsonCardiff University, UK

Fair Trade: Just TradeFair Trade: Just TradeFair Trade: Just TradeFair Trade: Just Trade

The Centre for Global Labour Research

Wednesday 9th January 2008

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Research Dilemma

• The ‘ethical Supermarket? Is the ‘business’ of business just to make profit!

• Regulation in the global supply chain – Voluntary / Self-regulation?

• Who is the guardian of labour standards – Supermarkets, Governments, Supra-nationals, Trade Unions, NGOS, Consumers?

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My PhD Research Objectives

• To gain understanding of how support the regulation of labour conditions in the Global Supply Chain

• To solicit the views of workers and farm supervisors on the implementation process of

• To obtain the perspectives of NGOs, Trade Unions and other interested parties in the debate on

• To develop a broader understanding of how align with Supermarkets’ policies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Labour CodesLabour CodesLabour CodesLabour Codes

Labour CodesLabour CodesLabour CodesLabour Codes

Labour CodesLabour CodesLabour CodesLabour Codes

Labour CodesLabour CodesLabour CodesLabour Codes

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Labour Codes of Conduct

1. EMPLOYMENT IS FREELY CHOSEN

2. FREEDOM OF ASSOCATION AND THE RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ARE RESPECTED

3. WORKING CONDITIONS ARE SAFE AND HYGIENIC

4. CHILD LABOUR SHALL NOT BE USED

5. LIVING WAGES ARE PAID / COMENSURATE

6. WORKING HOURS ARE NOT EXCESSIVE

7. NO DISCRMINATION IS PRACTISED

8. REGULAR EMPLOYMENT IS PROVIDED

9. NO HARSH OR INHUMANE TREATMENT ALLOWED

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Research Landscape

Costa Rica

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The UK Supermarket Groups

• Supermarkets dominate the fresh food market in the UK

• The annual retail market for bananas in 2006 was worth in excess of £570m

• Approximately a 140 million bananas are consumed each week, 7 billion each year

• Bananas are the biggest selling fruit item in the UK

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The Global Banana Trade

• Three major banana TNC producers – Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte – Supply approx. 56% of the world’s bananas

• Wholesalers – Fyffes, H. Pratts– Key suppliers to the UK market

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Work on Banana Plantations

• Division of Labour

Cultivation Harvesting Selection Packing

Field Packhouse

Cultivation Harvesting Selection Packing

Field Packhouse

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Field work study, February - April 2006

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Field work study, February - April 2006

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Field work study, February - April 2006

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Field work study, February - April 2006

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Field work study, February - April 2006

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Field work study, February - April 2006

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Labour Regulation in the Banana Chain

• The Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) Base Code

• Social Accounting International (SAI) 8000 Standard

• International Framework Agreement – Chiquita, COLSIBA (Coordinadona Latinoamericana de Sindicatos Bananeros) and the IUF (International Union of Foodworkers)