Calls to establish a minimum wage for Ethiopia's floriculture and horticulture industries are gaining momentum, following a workshop organized by Fairtrade Africa (FTA) in Addis Ababa. The event brought together government officials, trade union leaders, and industry representatives to address wage challenges faced by workers in these vital export sectors.

The workshop is part of Fairtrade Africa's "Donuts-Ethiopian Flowers Project," which aims to improve the livelihoods and rights of workers on six Fairtrade-certified flower farms across the country. As Ethiopia's floriculture and horticulture sectors continue to expand, concerns over fair compensation and sustainable working conditions have come to the forefront of national dialogue.

Experts at the workshop unanimously agreed that setting a minimum wage is a critical step toward improving the economic well-being of workers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry. The forum provided a platform for sharing information, best practices, and strategies related to wage determination and living wage initiatives.

"By working together, we can address gaps in workers' rights and ensure fair working conditions and wages for those in the flower and horticulture industries," said Meselech Dejene, an expert from the Ministry of Labor and Skills.
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com