Ethiopia: Cut flower Bonanza: At What Cost?
Jimma Times
Published 02/18/2008 - 3:18 p.m. EST
Blossoms of all kinds welcome you to the greenhouses. But the inside temperature is in stark contrast with the outside – it's really hot. Gurgling water noises from little water pumps add to the steamy mood. About ten female workers are engaged in collecting flowers and removing extra foliage from the stems of red roses.
Meseret Negash, 19, an innocent looking girl, is one of them. Born into a family of eight, she grew up in the suburb of Menagesha town. She attended the local school until grade three. "I couldn't go further since my father was unable to support me," Mesert says. "He works on a small piece of land and has to feed ten mouths."
Meseret couldn't exactly remember when she joined Menagesha Flower. "I started working here about a year ago," she said, removing leaves from a stem of red rose. Meseret follows a single day-to-day pattern: removing leaves, cutting stems, transporting them to the 'cold room' and cleaning greenhouses. "It's a back-breaking job but I earn some money to help my family," she says.
Meseret works eight hours a day and 28 days a month. The nation's labor law allows up to 48 hours a week. Meseret works eight extra hours in a fortnight; only one day off.No overtime payments. "I recently received a salary rise of one Birr; now I'm paid eight Birr a day. I would be happier if this amount went up to nine or ten," Meseret says smiling. "This amount will enable me to go to evening class." She has a dream of going back to school soon. However, she doesn't know how long her boss will allow her to stay with her casual job on the farm. She didn't sign any written agreement with her employer. Nor is there any labor union that can bargain for better payments and other benefits. "We don't have what you called a labor union because we don't know how it could be useful to us."
You may wonder how Meseret can remove leaves from thorny rose stems without wearing gloves. She carries cut flowers to the cold room and cleans the greenhouses without wearing protective devices. "I'm used to these smells and thorny stems," says Meseret. "We sometimes face a strong chemical smell; if we complain we're told to work in the next greenhouse."
Ethiopia's burgeoning flower industry developed out of the European flower market, which began in the northern hemisphere, and expanded rapidly at the end of 20th century into the southern Africa, until by 2000, one third of traded cut flowers was grown in southern areas, mainly East and South Africa. Ethiopia has now also become one of the places where the industry is booming.
Environmental impact
Today, like Menagesha Flower, fifty-seven other flower farms operate in Ethiopia. Most of them began growing flowers in 2000. These farms are believed to have created job opportunities for thousands of rural Ethiopians.
Moreover, the government has given due attention to the flower industry because of growing revenue it collects from export taxes. However, the industry has brought with it much controversy: allegations of environmental mismanagement, labor abuse and unfair land holding.
The industry uses pesticides and chemical fertilizers. It uses too much of these elements which damages the environment, environmentalists accuse. It's also accused of using a lot of water. They worry that flower farms let too much inorganic fertilizer into soil so that the soil develops salinity. Saline soil will not grow plants. Moreover, too much chemicals kill useful organisms in the soil. And if too much pesticide gets into water bodies it damages the biodiversity. Moreover, too much use of water leads to conflict with the local community, as was the case in the Naivasha district in Kenya. It may also lead to depletion of water from its natural reservoir.
Ato Seyoum Fenja, an agronomist at Menagesha Flower, says: "We grow flowers on substrate or red ash so that pesticides and inorganic fertilizers cannot get into the soil." As for water sources, says Seyoum, "We use well-water." Twenty litres of pesticides and 96,000-210,000 litres of water are being consumed at Menagesha Flower daily. Regarding chemical use, Ato Dawit Araya, Manager of Menagesha Flower, says: "We watch international codes of conduct since we wish to sell our flowers for good prices." Some international organizations grade flowers based on their effort to minimize environmental impacts. Grade A awards us a better price than grade C, says Dawit.
Ethiopia belongs to Ethiopians; we came here not to destroy your environment, but to develop it, says Mrs. Anat Harari Degani, the Managing Director and Owner of Jericho Flowers. She admitted that Eucalyptus trees were removed but "not a single indigenous tree".
Regarding chemical use, Degani says "we abide by international rules and regulations: protecting environment against damages, protecting standard working conditions and welfare of workers, and minimizing the use of chemicals. We cannot sell for good price if we don't meet the standard. We have a certificate of quality management." In Jericho Flowers, flowers are grown on natural soil. Fertilizers drain into the natural soil in a solution form. "A farmer near Nazareth grows teff using fertilizers; ours is not different," says Degani.
Research reports on the environmental impact of the flower industry haven't been conducted yet, according to Ato Sisay Habte, Executive Secretary of Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA). "And it's too early to feel the damage it can cause to the environment; we are in a better position to learn its impact from Kenya and other experienced nations," he says. "Every project where man is involved has environmental impact; I don't know why some groups exaggerate the case of the flower industry."
Sisay admits that many flower farms do not use red ash to grow flowers, probably because of its high cost. However, the association encourages the use of red ash, biological pest control and organic fertilizers. "As we are beginners, we lack skill and knowledge," says Sisay. "But trainings and codes of practice are underway by the association: issues of production, labor, environment and community have been given priority so as to use them as minimum requirements for certification to begin and run a flower farm."
Waste disposal mechanisms have also become a controversial issue. "Unless waste materials are handled and removed properly, they can get into water bodies or be used by people and cause serious damage," says Abraham Haile Melekot, an Expert at Environmental Impact Assessment Unit at Environmental Protection Authority. "Empty pesticide and fertilizer containers should be buried sealed up with plastic while waste water has to be treated at the farm."
"As for the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, nobody has contacted us so far. They were supposed to collect empty chemical containers and waste flowers," says Degani. "We have kept the containers in storage whereas we bury the flowers." Degani worries particularly about the empty chemical containers.
At Menagesha Flower, Seyoum says, empty pesticide and fertilizer containers are buried, but neither sealed nor in lined up spaces. Organic wastes like foliages are composted and reused on the farm to grow indigenous trees. With regard to water source, Dawit says "We have a plan to recycle waste water and start rain water harvesting."
According to the national environment guideline, says Abraham, companies are expected to have completed environmental impact assessments before launching their projects. As for the flower industry, "We don't have any idea where and how environmental impact assessments are conducted." The authority recently conducted a survey on the environmental and occupational health and safety. "But the results have not been disclosed due to reasons I don't want to mention," says Abraham.
Labor issues
The cut flower industry employs thousands of workers globally. It has also contributed to foreign exchange earning, rural stability and social services. But the present global trend indicates workers are denied of their basic rights. In Ethiopia none of the flower farms are unionized. They are not allowed to form labour unions, exercise collective bargaining agreements and ask for safe and healthy working conditions. Human rights activists argue that flower growers use an illiterate, underpaid work force. And the workers are bare-armed, with no gloves or face masks to protect themselves from pesticides and thorny rose stems.
Workers develop health problems as a result of being exposed to dangerous chemicals and working conditions on the job. Workers are forced to work long hours, can be dismissed at will and often handle dangerous chemicals without the proper protective equipment. Women workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, sexual harassment, no maternity leave, overcrowded housing and low wages.
Mamush Kebede, 24, came from Ankober, Amhara region. Before leaving his casual job, he worked as a sprayer on a flower farm near Menagesh for two months. "With five of my friends we asked our boss for a salary rise (8 to 10 Birr) but we were told to serve for another six months," says Mamush. "Meantime I asked him to transfer me to another unit because I got rashes from the chemicals that I spray; I was told to continue working as a sprayer if I want to stay in the farm." Mamush and his four friends left the farm since the employer couldn't keep his promise.
Aster Girma, 23, removes foliage from roses at Jericho Flowers. It was midday and the temperature in the greenhouse was 380c. She is paid eight Birr a day. "The temperature is very high and I toil and sweat eight hours a day and six days a week; I deserve more," says Aster.
Flower growers deny their workers' rights of joining labor unions, says Ato Tariku Shachachew, General Secretary of the Ethiopian Confederation of Labor Unions. "We repeatedly urged the growers to let their employees form labor unions; however, they let us down and fired workers where we tried to form one like at the Golden Rose." He further says that growers ban labor unions on their farms for fear of workers asking for their rights that add extra expenses to employers; workers will bargain for a better salary and working conditions.
Tariku argues that workers in flower farms haven't received a significant salary increase in the last six years, and couldn't benefit from insurance rights. In one of the flower farms, says Tariku, an employee cut her finger off while trimming. She was given 100 Birr to pay for medication. But she later found that 100 Birr off her salary on pay day.
"We don't ban labor unions," says Dawit, "our employees don't ask for them. It's easier for me to talk to two or three than 300 employees." At Menagesha Flower, eight Birr (less than one US dollar) a day is an average. "Our employees deserve more," says Dawit, "but we are not yet engaged in full export."
The question regarding workers should be how much they support themselves, says Degani. "You can enjoy a better life with $1,000 here than in Switzerland. We get profit out of the sweat of people; we feel we are theirs." Degani underscores the cooperation between both parties - employees and employers.
With regard to labor union and wage, Degani says: "There's a common payment standard among farmers here; and ours can't be different." She said none of her workers had asked to join a union: "Probably they feel fantastic here." The farm provides a free lunch service for its workers which makes it different from any other farms in Ethiopia.
"We are concerned about workers' rights in the industry," says Abraham. "It should provide safe and hygienic working environments; unless workers are protected properly those who have direct contact with the agrochemicals may develop incurable diseases like carcinogenic diseases."
Sisay argues that employers worry about working conditions under labor unions. Workers and leaders of labor unions may abuse their rights so that they will not take their tasks seriously, argues Sisay.
Land holding
Government land ownership has created it easier for flower growers to get land easily. Abiy Mezgebu, 28, resides near Ambo town. He recently sold a hectare of land to flower growers for 30,000 Birr, the price that growers fix. But there is no any agreement with the growers how long they use the land. "Regional government officials convinced me to sell it. They warned me to take away government land if I refuse to sell it," says Abiy. "In my village, many farmers sold their lands but didn't use the money to improve their lives; they spent on 'tella' (alcoholic local beer)."
Aduna Workneh, father of five, lives across bunches of flower farms near Menagesha town. Officials from the government and flower farms came and talked to him in person. "They told me I'll benefit much better if we sell my land. Though I rejected it, they still try to convince me." Aduna has four hectares of land where he grows crops to feed his family. He was offered up to 70,000 Birr but he says "this amount of money doesn't last long whereas my farm land feeds me for the rest of my life."
These flower farms benefit us nothing; at least they were expected to provides employment opportunity, says Aduna. "Only a few members of our community got employed; as for the majority we don't know where they came from." Showing across the valley, Aduna says "where now these green houses lie was covered by indigenous trees and eucalyptus, where our women used to collect firewood. But today flower farms left us with nothing."
The government has secured over 600 million Birr flower export revenue in the last few years. There is a plan to increase it to more than US $300 million in 2008. The government seems to be turning a blind eye to the alleged damages that flower farms cause to the environment and to unfair labor issues and land acquisition. There is a big inflow of flower industry to Ethiopia despite the continuous local and international concerns about these issues.
Degani used to run flower business in Kenya before moving here. "There is no border between countries today. You bring and take lots of experiences from one country to another. Agriculture is labor intensive. We look for potential advantages where to grow and develop regarding labor and market. We are not NGO components. We came here to do profitable business. Ethiopia is the potential empire of Africa. We prefer Ethiopia for suitable altitude, soil and water quality, and particularly safety," Degani says.
Quelle
By Tamiru L. Obole | JT Senior Reporter
Nearly 60 flower farms operate in Ethiopia today. More than half of them are owned and run by foreigners. During his recent statement to the media, Minister Girma Birru pledges nearly 2000 hectares of land to attract new investors to the industry. But with local and international bodies' concerns for environmental mismanagement and labor abuses, their time may be running out.
Teenager Aster Mamo doesn't go to college to attend science or art class. She has to be on time for her daily routine job at the local flower farm where she earns money to help her family survive.
9:00 am in the morning. A heavy rain last night left huge piles of hail inside the compound of Menagesha Flower Farm, situated 30 kilometers west of Addis. Today's cloudy sky has brought chilly weather. A gentle breeze carries not the sweet scent of roses, but a strong smell of chemicals that makes you want to sneeze. A track up the hill runs through a beautiful green field and a clump of indigenous trees. At the end of the track, there are eight huge greenhouses. Nearly 60 flower farms operate in Ethiopia today. More than half of them are owned and run by foreigners. During his recent statement to the media, Minister Girma Birru pledges nearly 2000 hectares of land to attract new investors to the industry. But with local and international bodies' concerns for environmental mismanagement and labor abuses, their time may be running out.
Teenager Aster Mamo doesn't go to college to attend science or art class. She has to be on time for her daily routine job at the local flower farm where she earns money to help her family survive.
Blossoms of all kinds welcome you to the greenhouses. But the inside temperature is in stark contrast with the outside – it's really hot. Gurgling water noises from little water pumps add to the steamy mood. About ten female workers are engaged in collecting flowers and removing extra foliage from the stems of red roses.
Meseret Negash, 19, an innocent looking girl, is one of them. Born into a family of eight, she grew up in the suburb of Menagesha town. She attended the local school until grade three. "I couldn't go further since my father was unable to support me," Mesert says. "He works on a small piece of land and has to feed ten mouths."
Meseret couldn't exactly remember when she joined Menagesha Flower. "I started working here about a year ago," she said, removing leaves from a stem of red rose. Meseret follows a single day-to-day pattern: removing leaves, cutting stems, transporting them to the 'cold room' and cleaning greenhouses. "It's a back-breaking job but I earn some money to help my family," she says.
Meseret works eight hours a day and 28 days a month. The nation's labor law allows up to 48 hours a week. Meseret works eight extra hours in a fortnight; only one day off.No overtime payments. "I recently received a salary rise of one Birr; now I'm paid eight Birr a day. I would be happier if this amount went up to nine or ten," Meseret says smiling. "This amount will enable me to go to evening class." She has a dream of going back to school soon. However, she doesn't know how long her boss will allow her to stay with her casual job on the farm. She didn't sign any written agreement with her employer. Nor is there any labor union that can bargain for better payments and other benefits. "We don't have what you called a labor union because we don't know how it could be useful to us."
You may wonder how Meseret can remove leaves from thorny rose stems without wearing gloves. She carries cut flowers to the cold room and cleans the greenhouses without wearing protective devices. "I'm used to these smells and thorny stems," says Meseret. "We sometimes face a strong chemical smell; if we complain we're told to work in the next greenhouse."
Ethiopia's burgeoning flower industry developed out of the European flower market, which began in the northern hemisphere, and expanded rapidly at the end of 20th century into the southern Africa, until by 2000, one third of traded cut flowers was grown in southern areas, mainly East and South Africa. Ethiopia has now also become one of the places where the industry is booming.
Environmental impact
Today, like Menagesha Flower, fifty-seven other flower farms operate in Ethiopia. Most of them began growing flowers in 2000. These farms are believed to have created job opportunities for thousands of rural Ethiopians.
Moreover, the government has given due attention to the flower industry because of growing revenue it collects from export taxes. However, the industry has brought with it much controversy: allegations of environmental mismanagement, labor abuse and unfair land holding.
The industry uses pesticides and chemical fertilizers. It uses too much of these elements which damages the environment, environmentalists accuse. It's also accused of using a lot of water. They worry that flower farms let too much inorganic fertilizer into soil so that the soil develops salinity. Saline soil will not grow plants. Moreover, too much chemicals kill useful organisms in the soil. And if too much pesticide gets into water bodies it damages the biodiversity. Moreover, too much use of water leads to conflict with the local community, as was the case in the Naivasha district in Kenya. It may also lead to depletion of water from its natural reservoir.
Ato Seyoum Fenja, an agronomist at Menagesha Flower, says: "We grow flowers on substrate or red ash so that pesticides and inorganic fertilizers cannot get into the soil." As for water sources, says Seyoum, "We use well-water." Twenty litres of pesticides and 96,000-210,000 litres of water are being consumed at Menagesha Flower daily. Regarding chemical use, Ato Dawit Araya, Manager of Menagesha Flower, says: "We watch international codes of conduct since we wish to sell our flowers for good prices." Some international organizations grade flowers based on their effort to minimize environmental impacts. Grade A awards us a better price than grade C, says Dawit.
Ethiopia belongs to Ethiopians; we came here not to destroy your environment, but to develop it, says Mrs. Anat Harari Degani, the Managing Director and Owner of Jericho Flowers. She admitted that Eucalyptus trees were removed but "not a single indigenous tree".
Regarding chemical use, Degani says "we abide by international rules and regulations: protecting environment against damages, protecting standard working conditions and welfare of workers, and minimizing the use of chemicals. We cannot sell for good price if we don't meet the standard. We have a certificate of quality management." In Jericho Flowers, flowers are grown on natural soil. Fertilizers drain into the natural soil in a solution form. "A farmer near Nazareth grows teff using fertilizers; ours is not different," says Degani.
Research reports on the environmental impact of the flower industry haven't been conducted yet, according to Ato Sisay Habte, Executive Secretary of Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA). "And it's too early to feel the damage it can cause to the environment; we are in a better position to learn its impact from Kenya and other experienced nations," he says. "Every project where man is involved has environmental impact; I don't know why some groups exaggerate the case of the flower industry."
Sisay admits that many flower farms do not use red ash to grow flowers, probably because of its high cost. However, the association encourages the use of red ash, biological pest control and organic fertilizers. "As we are beginners, we lack skill and knowledge," says Sisay. "But trainings and codes of practice are underway by the association: issues of production, labor, environment and community have been given priority so as to use them as minimum requirements for certification to begin and run a flower farm."
Waste disposal mechanisms have also become a controversial issue. "Unless waste materials are handled and removed properly, they can get into water bodies or be used by people and cause serious damage," says Abraham Haile Melekot, an Expert at Environmental Impact Assessment Unit at Environmental Protection Authority. "Empty pesticide and fertilizer containers should be buried sealed up with plastic while waste water has to be treated at the farm."
"As for the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, nobody has contacted us so far. They were supposed to collect empty chemical containers and waste flowers," says Degani. "We have kept the containers in storage whereas we bury the flowers." Degani worries particularly about the empty chemical containers.
At Menagesha Flower, Seyoum says, empty pesticide and fertilizer containers are buried, but neither sealed nor in lined up spaces. Organic wastes like foliages are composted and reused on the farm to grow indigenous trees. With regard to water source, Dawit says "We have a plan to recycle waste water and start rain water harvesting."
According to the national environment guideline, says Abraham, companies are expected to have completed environmental impact assessments before launching their projects. As for the flower industry, "We don't have any idea where and how environmental impact assessments are conducted." The authority recently conducted a survey on the environmental and occupational health and safety. "But the results have not been disclosed due to reasons I don't want to mention," says Abraham.
Labor issues
The cut flower industry employs thousands of workers globally. It has also contributed to foreign exchange earning, rural stability and social services. But the present global trend indicates workers are denied of their basic rights. In Ethiopia none of the flower farms are unionized. They are not allowed to form labour unions, exercise collective bargaining agreements and ask for safe and healthy working conditions. Human rights activists argue that flower growers use an illiterate, underpaid work force. And the workers are bare-armed, with no gloves or face masks to protect themselves from pesticides and thorny rose stems.
Workers develop health problems as a result of being exposed to dangerous chemicals and working conditions on the job. Workers are forced to work long hours, can be dismissed at will and often handle dangerous chemicals without the proper protective equipment. Women workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, sexual harassment, no maternity leave, overcrowded housing and low wages.
Mamush Kebede, 24, came from Ankober, Amhara region. Before leaving his casual job, he worked as a sprayer on a flower farm near Menagesh for two months. "With five of my friends we asked our boss for a salary rise (8 to 10 Birr) but we were told to serve for another six months," says Mamush. "Meantime I asked him to transfer me to another unit because I got rashes from the chemicals that I spray; I was told to continue working as a sprayer if I want to stay in the farm." Mamush and his four friends left the farm since the employer couldn't keep his promise.
Aster Girma, 23, removes foliage from roses at Jericho Flowers. It was midday and the temperature in the greenhouse was 380c. She is paid eight Birr a day. "The temperature is very high and I toil and sweat eight hours a day and six days a week; I deserve more," says Aster.
Flower growers deny their workers' rights of joining labor unions, says Ato Tariku Shachachew, General Secretary of the Ethiopian Confederation of Labor Unions. "We repeatedly urged the growers to let their employees form labor unions; however, they let us down and fired workers where we tried to form one like at the Golden Rose." He further says that growers ban labor unions on their farms for fear of workers asking for their rights that add extra expenses to employers; workers will bargain for a better salary and working conditions.
Tariku argues that workers in flower farms haven't received a significant salary increase in the last six years, and couldn't benefit from insurance rights. In one of the flower farms, says Tariku, an employee cut her finger off while trimming. She was given 100 Birr to pay for medication. But she later found that 100 Birr off her salary on pay day.
"We don't ban labor unions," says Dawit, "our employees don't ask for them. It's easier for me to talk to two or three than 300 employees." At Menagesha Flower, eight Birr (less than one US dollar) a day is an average. "Our employees deserve more," says Dawit, "but we are not yet engaged in full export."
The question regarding workers should be how much they support themselves, says Degani. "You can enjoy a better life with $1,000 here than in Switzerland. We get profit out of the sweat of people; we feel we are theirs." Degani underscores the cooperation between both parties - employees and employers.
With regard to labor union and wage, Degani says: "There's a common payment standard among farmers here; and ours can't be different." She said none of her workers had asked to join a union: "Probably they feel fantastic here." The farm provides a free lunch service for its workers which makes it different from any other farms in Ethiopia.
"We are concerned about workers' rights in the industry," says Abraham. "It should provide safe and hygienic working environments; unless workers are protected properly those who have direct contact with the agrochemicals may develop incurable diseases like carcinogenic diseases."
Sisay argues that employers worry about working conditions under labor unions. Workers and leaders of labor unions may abuse their rights so that they will not take their tasks seriously, argues Sisay.
Land holding
Government land ownership has created it easier for flower growers to get land easily. Abiy Mezgebu, 28, resides near Ambo town. He recently sold a hectare of land to flower growers for 30,000 Birr, the price that growers fix. But there is no any agreement with the growers how long they use the land. "Regional government officials convinced me to sell it. They warned me to take away government land if I refuse to sell it," says Abiy. "In my village, many farmers sold their lands but didn't use the money to improve their lives; they spent on 'tella' (alcoholic local beer)."
Aduna Workneh, father of five, lives across bunches of flower farms near Menagesha town. Officials from the government and flower farms came and talked to him in person. "They told me I'll benefit much better if we sell my land. Though I rejected it, they still try to convince me." Aduna has four hectares of land where he grows crops to feed his family. He was offered up to 70,000 Birr but he says "this amount of money doesn't last long whereas my farm land feeds me for the rest of my life."
These flower farms benefit us nothing; at least they were expected to provides employment opportunity, says Aduna. "Only a few members of our community got employed; as for the majority we don't know where they came from." Showing across the valley, Aduna says "where now these green houses lie was covered by indigenous trees and eucalyptus, where our women used to collect firewood. But today flower farms left us with nothing."
The government has secured over 600 million Birr flower export revenue in the last few years. There is a plan to increase it to more than US $300 million in 2008. The government seems to be turning a blind eye to the alleged damages that flower farms cause to the environment and to unfair labor issues and land acquisition. There is a big inflow of flower industry to Ethiopia despite the continuous local and international concerns about these issues.
Degani used to run flower business in Kenya before moving here. "There is no border between countries today. You bring and take lots of experiences from one country to another. Agriculture is labor intensive. We look for potential advantages where to grow and develop regarding labor and market. We are not NGO components. We came here to do profitable business. Ethiopia is the potential empire of Africa. We prefer Ethiopia for suitable altitude, soil and water quality, and particularly safety," Degani says.
Quelle
posted by Dominik @ 7:18 am
0 Comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home