Defending the rights of flower workers in Kenya
Thousands of flower bouquets will be purchased in Britain this Valentine's Day. Yet few of us consider the conditions faced by the workers producing flowers for export, the vast majority of whom are women. The Kenya Women Workers' Organisation (KEWWO), a War on Want partner organisation which promotes the rights of flower workers, recently told us about one case where it intervened to help a woman whose health had suffered from exposure to dangerous chemicals on a flower farm:
Jessica is 35 years of age and a female worker on one of the flower farms in Nakuru. She has worked on several flower farms in Nakuru, but while working on this particular farm she began experiencing health problems, most notably very severe pain in her abdomen. She decided to report her case to the supervisor, but he never took it seriously. She decided to consult a doctor who attributed the pain to her exposure to pesticides used to spray flowers. She reported this matter to the labour office, but the labour officials also ignored her. Without any money to consult a lawyer, she gave up on the matter. As she explained it, "in this country if you don't have money you become helpless. Maybe you people will be able to help, otherwise I have left it to God." When Jessica told us the story, KEWWO presented this matter to the office of labour and is now pursuing the matter on her behalf.
KEWWO has long been championing the rights of Kenyan flower workers. With the support of War on Want, KEWWO has had a tangible impact on the lives of workers like Jessica who have been exploited on the flower farms and plantations across Kenya.
Read more about KEWWO and their work promoting the rights of flower workers.
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