Driscoll's Wins Best Health and Safety Labor Program at 2019 Sedex Awards
LONDON, UK - Driscoll’s was the big winner last week, taking home awards for Best Health and Safety Labor Program Globally at the 2019 Sedex Awards. These awards are in recognition for the company’s thorough labor compliance procedures.
“Supply chain actors along with global and local institutions must work together to introduce solutions that ensure a stable future for farms and ensure the agriculture industry remains a viable option for both farmers and all workers,” said Candida Barbato, Senior Workforce Manager.
According to the company’s press release, Barbato accepted the award on behalf of Driscoll’s. She played an integral part in developing and managing the labor program. Barbato praised the team and independent growers for “translating a global vision into an everyday reality.”
In partnership with hundreds of independent growers, Driscoll’s labor program grows and harvests berries sold under the Driscoll’s brand to ensure the well-being of each Farmworker. The company says this balances its focus on “prioritizing sustainable business practices.”
In 2015, Driscoll’s enforced global labor standards representing criteria where laws did not exist, weren’t consistently applied, or provided lower protection to the workers. To make certain these requirements are held to by independent growers, the company continues to use a third-party audit process as stated in the company’s press release.
To ensure legally-required social security benefits are distributed even in geographies where industry practices don't support it, Driscoll’s works with its network of independent growers as well. The company works together with local government agencies, NGOs, and independent growers to increase worker access to education and public services in rural areas, support registration processes, and educates the local workforce to best access their social security benefits.
Reaching over 40,000 local workers and their families in Mexico and Morocco to date, it seems Driscoll’s benefit program is successful.
Congratulations to Driscoll's from AndNowUKnow on its latest accomplishments!
