Factors affecting workers of flower farms in Kenya

Compiled from;

Desire Flora

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Very many people have been asking themselves about the importance of flower farms in

Kenya. Well there is more to flowers other than just the beauty they add to the

environment. The financial and social contribution of these flower farms to the Kenyan

economy is one we cannot afford to ignore.

The industry is self regulated by the Kenya flower council (KFC) which reviews, inspects and

produces reports on the various flower farms available in the country. The farms have also

been able to provide many job opportunities in the country which has led to many people

being able to earn a living from the flower farms.

Like many industries flower farms also rely on large supply of cheap labour, a lot of jobs

involved in the flower industry such as grading, packing, harvesting, tending beds, watering

and so on require limited or no skills. Most of the workers are poor and there for vulnerable

to exploitation.

Factors affecting flower farms workers in Kenya

These workers have to undergo various hardships and yet they still toil so hard to make sure

that the flowers are ready and that they are delivered on time. Here are some of the issues

that affect them;

Low wages

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Due to their lack of education and because many of them are poor, the companies tend to

use this to their advantage. Most of these workers do not even know their rights and so

they are exploited on a day to day basis.

Failure by companies to protect them against repetitive strain

injuries and toxic pesticides

Most flower farms have failed to protect their workers from the effects of toxic pesticides

which are use to spray the flowers in the farms and in the conservation. They have also

failed to put in place measures which could help those workers who get injured while on

duty. Most of them just go uncompensated after getting injuries while at work.

Overworking

These workers are forced to work long hours sometimes even without a break especially

when the flowers are on demand for example on days such as Valentine’s Day mother’s day.

Bullying and sexual harassment

Most of the flower farms employees are women and sexual harassment and bullying is a

major issue. There is also inadequate maternity cover or allowances for child care

responsibilities.

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After some of these issues were highlighted most of the flower farms have been trying to

put in place measures which could help improve the lives of their employers. Some of these

measures include;

More workers on permanent contracts

Better provision of protective equipment

The establishment of worker welfare and gender committees

Stricter pesticide controls and extensive improvements in housing facilities

More women have access to day care facilities for their children and agreed breaks

for breastfeeding

General acceptance that pregnant women should be given light duties.

We believe that the retailers of flower farms in Kenya should adopt more strategies which

can help give flower farm workers better working conditions and inturn improve their lives.

The retailers are to ensure that;

1. They carefully check working conditions in flower farms, which may include

conducting interviews with the workers to know what they feel about the working

conditions.

2. They pay their suppliers prices which can enable them pay their workers a wage they

can leave on.

3. Work closely with their suppliers and explain to them the workers’ rights are

important and also help them change their labour laws.

4. Make sure that lead times for farmers are able to reduce pressure on workers who

work unreasonable hours especially on peak days.

With all these measures being put in place, I believe that Flower farms in Kenya have the

potential to grow and perform even better in the near future.

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For more information visit;

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