On Valentine ’s Day 2021 , Fairtrade launches the FairVoice Report which aims to bring the representative of peak farm workers to the forefront of the supply strand . FairVoice is an forward-looking qualitative information collection solution which draws insights directly from Kenyan flower doer and their communities about their experience of the pandemic .
A collaborationism between Fairtrade Foundation , Fairtrade Africa and On Our Radar , the FairVoice pilot program trained workers at four Fairtrade bloom farm to become ‘ reporters ’ . The remote grooming , delivered via audio and online , give them the pecker to safely assemble testimonial from their communities .
Over several week , 60 newsperson fulfilled a series of assignment to explore the impact of Covid-19 on their life-time and residential area . Supported by local wise man , they compile over 900 report on subject such as job , finance , genial health , children and family unit life .
Impact on the blossom farmsAnalysis showed that the wallop on the supply chain during COVID-19 had both personal and clientele implications . The modification required of farms to keep societal distancing , the drop in food market demand and challenges with transporting orders had repercussions on the farms ’ operations and for the worker ’ business and funds .
“ Orders dropped every daytime , prices at the vendue were at their spoilt ever , we dumped thousands of roses every day as we did n’t have any market . The flying cost went high and the few flight of steps usable were first do first dish . With all this havoc , our client were affected too and the prices came down for our products too . The fellowship could n’t get by with losses one after another , so they transport workers finally for unpaid farewell to be able to cope with the office ” .
fiscal impactAs a result of the impact at farm grade , reporters highlighted the negative shock that this had on their occupation and financial situation . Many talked about ingest to take unpaid leave and the subsequent salary reductions . With such a sudden and spectacular modification in finances , this meant many family had to seek alternate strategies , such as returning to rural abode to carry through price .
“ Financially I was involve the present moment our companionship gave us unpaid go forth ; I was not able to fit my kinfolk expenses because my salary was burn to a half earnings . I was forced to adjust and reduce our casual expenditure to one-half , which is so stressing . ”
impingement for families and relationshipsLinked to the financial impact on home , many reporters discussed the social and emotional impact on kinship and family separation , with a number of reports discussing the growing phone number of divorces .
“ Listening to my associate employment mate ’ opinions and also on my own ruling , we feel heavy - hearted about our family line ’ wellbeing . This is because most of our families are set up in rural area , where we ca n’t jaunt to see how they are do on due to lockdowns in the country . It has been no easy time for any of us . ”
wallop for young peopleA key trend that emerge from the reportage on the impact of COVID-19 was the shutdown of school . Reporters discussed how this was direct to negative outcomes for young people , as well as the additional financial challenges at house level .
“ COVID-19 has widen the gap between the plentiful and the pathetic , this stand for that children of the deep will go along with their teaching after COVID while the miserable tyke ’s time to come has been dimmed by COVID since most of them wo n’t be capable to go back to school . ”
“ Online subject area imply you need either a smartphone or a computer . My question , even though I may wish my fry to study , without food , how do they ? Do we buy airtime charge circuit card and exorbitant electrical energy bills instead or nutrient ? ”
stain and fear of COVID-19There was a key tendency name across the report of a growing stain in rural community about COVID-19 , with a flavour that those in more urban communities were at risk of gamy transmission .
“ COVID-19 crisis precede to stigma and discrimination . I went home , to a rural sphere last calendar month . astonishingly one of my aunts and some neighbors flow aside when they saw me since they think all hoi polloi from the urban region are affect . ”
Impact on genial healthAnalysis across the issue of mental wellness showed that the key areas discussed were financial stress , parental worries , worries and uncertainty about the future , and extreme depression .
“ I was fearful about security of my line if the state of affairs stay the same . In fact , I felt like things were fall apart in my living . ”
GenderThe main gender - related subject emerge were on unemployment , the impact on new girls as a final result of shoal occlusion , and how some woman viewed the fiscal challenges as a black eye to modify perceptions of women in society . Additionally , there were also reports phrase the gendered role of valet de chambre within the household as the master breadwinner , and the sense of nonstarter that some men feel at not fulfilling this expected gender role .
“ group that are already disadvantaged , such as adolescent girl , experience the greatest risk and impacts when their education is break up . ”
Next stepsIn light of the specific finding from the FairVoice Report , Fairtrade is carry forward and share the worthful example about flower actor ’ experiences with others in the flower sector . perceptivity provided in this news report will be incorporated directly into the ‘ Building Resilience in the Flower Industry Project ’ , to support prime farm and vulnerable workers in Kenya . This include awareness campaigns , nutritionary garden , substitute income supporting and additional training .
This will serve as a build up to some of the important roles that Fairtrade has already played in supporting bloom farm proletarian through the pandemic ; In 2020 , Fairtrade allow certified ( blossom ) producer / farms to pass on up to 100 pct of their Fairtrade Premium 1funds as verbatim immediate payment distributions to workers . Normally , cash out of the Fairtrade Premium for evidence flower farms is a maximum of 20 percent . This has allowed the farms to respond to the crisis very apace . As a result of these changes , over half a million Euros have been distributed across the Fairtrade certified peak farm that have opt to apply this , sustain workers to purchase food for thought and wellness equipment , and helping cushion the reduction of wages during a critical time .
To say a detailed report about the FairVoice pilot , visithttps://www.fairtrade.org.uk .
For more information : Fairtradewww.fairtrade.org.uk
