Tell Columbia flower workers "Florverde" doesn't make the cut!

60% of cut flowers sold in the US are produced in Colombia. Colombian employers thrive in the industry while workers continue to endure long hours at poverty level wages, occupational safety and health hazards and violations of the right to organize. The Colombian Flower Industry Association (ASOCOLFLORES) has launched a costly public relations campaign and a phony Florverde "sustainable" flower label to improve its image. Workers have not seen any major changes, despite the rhetoric. Join US consumers in telling the ASOCOLFLORES to support workers!

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Your Letter:

I have recently learned about the conditions faced by flower workers, most of whom are women, in Colombia, a country that provides 60% of the flowers sold in the U.S. I am concerned about the workers who produce my flowers. Since ASOCOLFLORES is a leader in the Colombian fresh-cut flower industry, I ask that you significantly strengthen efforts to ensure that flower workers are paid a living wage, are not exposed to harmful chemicals, and that they are fully able to exercise their basic rights as women and as workers, including their right to form independent unions so they can improve working conditions. Please stop using subcontracting agencies such as Cooperativas de Trabajo Asociado and grant ALL workers their basic rights under Colombian law.

As a consumer, florist, or retailer, I am concerned that the Florverde certification and labeling program is falsely advertising its flowers as "Good for the Workers" according to the label. Many of the Florverde certified farms continue to maintain poor working conditions and restrict workers' right to freedom of association. I ask that you support workers and their core labor rights, before implementing such a labeling program.

Augusto Solano

Asocolfores

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Add me to the following list(s):

Create a Sweatfree World

Rights for Working Women

End Child & Forced Labor

Freedom at Work (Stop violence against unions)

This urgent action alert is maintained by the International Labor Rights Forum.