"Many of the roses that are sold in the Netherlands come from East Africa and the tens of thousands of women who work there do not get a living wage. This means that currently a fair price isn’t being paid for roses," says Hivos, an NGO that is seeking attention for the working conditions in countries where employees are less protected and that has contributed to raising awareness, in a press release.
Hivos had a calculation made for the average amount needed per bunch of 10 roses in the supermarket in order to be able to pay the African flower pickers a living wage: 13 cents. "If we divide that 13 cents across all the links involved in the chain of growers, traders, supermarkets and consumers, that comes down to only a few cents per link. So a small change can make a big difference", according to Caroline Wildeman of Hivos.
According to Wildeman, most people still don’t know that the bunch of roses they buy in the supermarket usually doesn’t have a fair price. That is why Hivos, together with the Power Flower Girls, stand up for the rights of African flower pickers and started the 'Small Change Big Deal' campaign around Valentine's Day.
Power Flower Girls
Consumers willing to pay more?
'Small Change Big Deal' calls for a fair deal, in which all links together make up that 13 cents. "All links, and certainly not only the consumer," emphasizes Hivos. On smallchangebigdeal.nl visitors can let them know that they are quite willing to pay a little more. Wildeman: "We do think that most consumers are quite willing to accept a small price increase for roses if that helps the African pickers."
In addition, Hivos believes that flower traders and supermarkets have to pay a fair price for the flowers that they import from Africa, so that the grower can pay the employees a higher wage. "Obviously, the grower must use that fair price to actually increase the wages of the employees."
Power Flower Girls
'Power Flower Girls is an African female rap group that through music fights for a living wage for the flower pickers. As part of the campaign, they will release their video clip 'Small Change Big Deal' around Valentine's Day.
In this video clip they talk to the rose grower, the auction, the supermarket and the consumer. With this video, playful actions and live performances in the country, the Power Flower Girls are raising awareness for the low wages of the flower pickers.
Living wage is a human right
Hivos explains that a living wage is a human right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations. "A living wage is a wage to pay that is a necessity for you and your family. These basic necessities of life are according to international agreements: nutritious food, water, shelter, clothing, medical care, transport and education. It also should enable you to save some money, as a buffer for unexpected events. It is obvious: the salary that African women receive for picking our flowers does not even come close to such a living wage, with all its consequences."
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For more information, please contact Caroline Wildeman, Program Manager at Hivos. T: + 31 (0)70 376 55 00 or by mail. Head to www.hivos.org as well.