Strawberry firm ‘exploiting migrant workers'
Strawberry firm 'exploiting migrant workers'
Farming union TGWU has warned that a major UK strawberry grower is exploiting migrant workers. The union says it has 'no option' but to submit hundreds of grievances on behalf of workers at the Herefordshire farm of S&A Produce, whose customers include Sainsbury's and Tesco. It says despite initially positive talks with the union, where agreement was reached on dropping charges for basic medical services and on the provision of overnight accommodation for workers at the end of their contract, S&A has not put in place an agreement to ensure that the practices will not repeated next year when additional seasonal workers will be hired, or to ensure proper access for the union to represent its members. The union says it has ongoing concerns about the standard of accommodation, safety and hygiene at the farm. It is calling on Sainsbury's and Tesco to participate in a meeting with the company in a bid to resolve outstanding issues. TGWU deputy general secretary Jack Dromey said: 'They supermarkets have already usefully played a role in bringing S&A to the negotiating table, but we should meet together to end this shameful treatment of vulnerable workers.' He added: 'We are faced with no option but to take individual grievances for at least 200 workers to force our legal right to represent our members. We urge the supermarkets to meet with us and S&A so that we can ensure this sorry situation is brought to an end.'
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