Tesco draws up new SA standards

Tesco has been drawing up new standards governing worker conditions with its top-fruit suppliers in South Africa that will come into force for the upcoming season.

Martin Dunnett, procurement director at Capespan in the UK, told FPJ the new standards are part of a scheuled re-audit process that began last September. “It is part of a natural process that was begun several months ago and we have until May to complete,” he said. “We are working with ethical auditor Wieta, a company that is linked to trade union group Women in Farming.”

The protocols could eventually be rolled out to all of Tesco’s South African suppliers. The process was instigated with Tesco by Capespan and Fruitways, although Colorsfruit are now also on board.