Tesco renews banana worker efforts

Tesco is renewing its efforts to improve conditions in its banana and pineapple supply chains both into the UK and into other importing countries after consultation with NGO Banana Link.

Tesco reinforced its message to growers in Central Amercia by holding training sessions, which emphasised the need for them to comply with the standards adopted by the UK’s Ethical Trading Initiative. The sessions extended the focus beyond bananas and pineapples to include melons.

Both industries have been dogged for years by poor conditions and low wages for workers, by violations of labour rights and by worrying levels of pollution, according to NGO Banana Link.

Alistair Smith, international co-ordinator of Banana Link, said: “Tesco has taken a long time to react to the problems but once it became convinced of the need for change, its response was impressive, well-organised and focused.

“There are still a great many obstacles to surmount and a long road ahead but all the signs are that Tesco is in it for the long haul and is determined to meet its own, increasingly demanding ethical objectives and to challenge its competitors to do the same,” said Smith.

Tesco is also trying to encourage other major retailers to follow its lead. Tesco director Terry Babbs was instrumental in encouraging two of the other big three global retailers, Wal-Mart and Carrefour, to join a committee organising a global Banana Multi-Stakeholder Forum.