ECONOMY

BUSINESS: 333 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

“Support Mechanism of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on the tobacco fields”

“Support Mechanism of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on the tobacco fields”
SUBMITTED FROM:

PAPASTRATOS

Papastratos, in 2017 turned the page in its long history and, with a significant €300-million investment, transformed its factory in Aspropyrgos into an exclusive heated tobacco sticks production unit for IQOS.


Contact

Objective Action

The actions’ objectives:

  • Informing farmers and workers, in a simple and understandable way, about their obligation to keep the 7 principles of the ALP code in the farm. This is being done thought trainings, informative meetings and distribution of informational materials. 

The 7  basics of the Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP) code are:

  1. No child labor
  2. Statutory income and working hours
  3. Fair treatment
  4. No  forced labor 
  5. Safe work environment  
  6. Freedom of association 
  7. Compliance with legislation
  • Creation of a trust relationship between the farmers / workers and the FoodStandard (the company that has undertaken the implementation of the support mechanism of GAP) in order to ensure the ALP codes’ implementation in the agricultural field. 
  • Setting up a helpline for direct support on issues related to the 7 principles of the ALP Code for both farmers as well as their workers. 
 

Target Audience

Farmers and laborers working on tobacco fields. 

 

Duration

The action took place during the tobacco crop period April – September 2015 and it has been repeated this year, 2016, during the same period of time. 


Description

The activity was divided into three phase:

Phase 1: 

  • Activation of an assistance helpline for the direct support on issues concerning the obligation of the farmers and the workers to comply with the 7 principles of the ALP code (800-5000-501). All communications are anonymous.

Phase 2: 

  • Visits of a qualified team of Foodstandard (the company that undertook the implementation of the program as a third and independent party in the pilot areas that have been selected) in tobacco fields to meet farmers, to discuss with them and to remind them the support mechanism, the reason of its existence as well as to remind them the activation of the helpline.
  • Organization and delivery of an afternoon informative event which provided farmers with significant information and guidelines on how to communicate with companies, according to the corresponding labor laws and to the ALP code, the enforcement of a fair income, safe working conditions and application of the law. During the event informative materials have been distributed. 

Phase 3: 

  • 2nd wave of visits in tobacco fields made by FoodStandard’s qualified team in order to inform field workers about the support mechanism, while at the same time to understand better the working conditions, payments as well as any other issues that might concern the farmers and their workers.

more...

Impact on Society

Approximately 300 farmers and 300 field workers have been informed about the ALP code and their rights, including labor and insurance rights.



Initiative Location

The “Support Mechanism of GAP” took place in 2 pilot villages that specialize on growing tobacco, Vrotou in Pieria and Ariana in Rodopi. It is being estimated that in 2017 the “Support Mechanism of GAP” will be implemented in other regions as well.


More...…

Working with Organization

FoodStandard – a company that provides services wider to the agricultural and food processing industry.


Workers Participation

The implementation is done by a qualified personnel of the company FoodStandard on agricultural topics and working practices issues. From Papastratos’ and PMI’s side, employees from the departments of tobacco management, corporate affairs, legal department and senior management have been working on monitoring the progress of the project.


More...…
Photos

Benefits for Οrganization

Ensuring compliance with legality, the smooth working relations and a respect to human rights in those tobacco fields from which Philip Morris purchases tobacco. 




Connection with Global Goals



No Connection with Global Goals found





More Initiatives from Organization



Send us your feedback Print
The Sustainable Greece Ιnitiative launched by QualityNet Foundation