Flower Worker Dora Acero Speaks on the Hill

April 9, 2008

Dora Acero has worked in the
Colombian flower industry for over 15 years. For the past 8 years, she has
worked at La Fragancia plantation, owned by Dole Fresh Flowers, a subsidiary of
Dole Food Company. At the briefing, she shared some her experiences she has had
while working at the flower plantation, such as the humiliation of always
having to ask permission to use the bathroom, and having to sacrifice her dignity
in order to support her family, as many women flower workers must do. Dora and
other workers in her union (Untrafragancia) continue to struggle to reach a
collective bargaining agreement with Dole. If they reach an agreement, they will
be the first independent union to have a labor contract in the entire Colombian
flower industry.

Dora asked the audience to please
consider the flower workers’ struggle next time they buy flowers. I hope that attendees
to the congressional briefing this Friday, April 11 will also consider the
flower workers. Speakers from the Cato Institute will be presenting
“Trade-Offs: Why the Colombia FTA Should Pass Regardless of TAA.” When I
attend, I will be sure to ask the speakers if they have kept the flowerListening_to_bama_resized
workers
in mind.

In addition to Dora’s powerful
words, Congressman Hare explained why Colombia
is an unfit trading partner for the U.S.
due to the labor and human rights violations that persist in Colombia, where
approximately one trade unionist is murdered per week. Jeff Vogt described the
demobilization process as largely unsuccessful. He also discussed the emergence
of new armed groups and the impunity of perpetrators of violence. Bama Athreya
dispelled some of the common myths regarding trade between the US and Colombia
while discussing the dire circumstances that flower workers face, such as
exposure to over 125 chemicals, some of which are known to cause reproductive, respiratory
and neurological problems. She also made clear that the Florverde certification
on many farms is little more than a guise and doesn’t protect fundamental labor
rights such as freedom of association.

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