Creating safe, worker-friendly and positive environment on horticulture farms plays an indispensable role in driving productivity, efficiency and sustainability, thereby ensuring quality production and promoting farm reputation.
To this effect and promoting the industry, the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) committedly implements several initiatives so that its member farms provide comprehensive benefits to ensure workplace health, safety, productivity, and compliance with national and international standards.
Such efforts are primarily driven by EHPEA’s Code of Practice (CoP) covering occupational health and safety, employment practices, and environmental protection among other socially responsible measures, with a strong focus on gender-responsive and sustainable agricultural practices.
Facilitated by EHPEA, a media crew recently went to Afriflower Farm in Holeta town, where they have witnessed appropriate and standard physical facilities, health and safety management, and welfare amenities among others.
Sintayehu Kebede, Afriflower General Manager, says the Farm takes strenuous measures to ensure a safe, respectful, and productive workplace.
Afriflower creates conducive environment for workers “by providing fair wages, proper working hours, and necessary tools and protective equipment. Workers have access to clean water, sanitation, and break areas,” says Sintayehu who firmly believes that satisfied, happy and motivated workers will be productive and cooperative.
While facilitating regular training on modern farming techniques, safety practices, and environmental sustainability, the Farm also creates conducive environment that fosters transparency, mutual understanding and employee confidence.
“Open communication is highly encouraged; so workers can share concerns and ideas, helping build trust and teamwork,” says the General Manager, adding, “The Farm actively promotes women’s participation, offering equal employment opportunities and fair pay. Women are encouraged to take on leadership roles and are included in decision-making processes.”
“By supporting women’s independence and confidence, the Farm contributes to stronger families and a more resilient community,” says Sintayehu.
According to the General Manager, the Farm dedicatedly ensures health and safety of its workers, also with health insurance coverage including their families.
Along with career-related training, it also offers training to its workers on ways of improving livelihoods while facilitating bank loans that help them address their financial issues.
With its on-site meal program at a standard canteen facility, Afriflower provides meals twice a day, coupled with an on-site bakery which enables workers to have fresh bread every day. “We have changing room for our workers .We also facilitate house loan with Zemen Bank for our staff workers,” says the General Manager.
EHPEA member farms have been increasingly complying with the EHPEA Code of Practice as a number of farms have received the Gold-Level Certification after demonstrating their unwavering commitment to international standards, environmental stewardship and profound social responsibility.
