Women in the Honduran Melon Industry - International Labor Rights ...

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONSADDRESS ACTORS ACTIONSWage Violations Buyers • Buyers• Incorporate a living wage clause in the Code of Conduct• Ensure that payment schedules are set out in supplycontracts and that payments are made on time• Work with local NGOS to initiate and sponsor researchon the current payment system to identify the impact of fairpay on the workers’ livelihoodsUnsafe and Inhumane WorkEnvironmentUnsafe and Inhumane WorkEnvironmentUnsafe and Inhumane WorkEnvironmentMelon CompaniesHonduran GovernmentBuyers• Include regular surprise internal audits and reportpublicly on internal auditing policies, mechanism and results• Unsafe and Inhumane Work Environment• Melon Companies• Incorporate a health and safety standard in the Code ofConduct and ensure that the standard meets national laborlaw requirements, international labor standards, and meloncertification standards• Provide occupational and safety training to all workersat the beginning of their employment and ensure thatoccupational safety and hygiene committees actuallyfunction as intended• Equip all employees with the necessary protectiveequipment and safety gear• Work with unions and NGOs to conduct internalauditing and report publicly on auditing results• Ensure that all health and safety codes arecomprehensive and mandate that companies publicly postsafety requirements• Perform more thorough auditing practices includingsurprise or non-disclosed audits and ensure thatrepercussions for health and safety violations are sufficientlybold.• Protect NGOs and unions to ensure that they caneffectively represent workers rights in regards to a safeworking environment• Incorporate a health and safety standard in the Code ofConduct and ensure such standard meet the requirementsas laid down in national labor laws, international laborstandards, and melon certification standards.• Work with local NGOs to audit plantations and reportpublicly on auditing policies and results.INTERNATIONAL LABOR RIGHTS FORUMWOMEN IN THE HONDURAN MELON INDUSTRY14