The growth of asparagus exports from Peru has not been matched by improved labor conditions for industry workers and is contradicting conditions laid out in the country’s free trade agreement with the US, local ag news site Agraria.pe reported

Quoting Javier Mujica Petit, legal avisor to NGO Aurora Viva and president of Perú Equidad, the majority of laborers used in asparagus processing are temporary workers and receive no formal benefits outside of a minimum wage.

Furthermore Mujica Petit said that there is also a lack of sanitation in the the food and water provided to workers.

As a result the representative warned the Peruvian government could face legal action from labor groups in the International Labor Organization.

“There is a lack of regular channels for dialogue within the sector between workers and business owners to reach agreements that would bring an end to these practices,” Mujica Petit added.

Photo: Agraria.pe

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com