Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Banana firm 'exploits migrants'

It's sad to see that the actions of a few can tarnish the good work of so many.

The BBC reports that a leading supplier of fair trade fruit has been accused of exploiting Eastern European migrant workers in the UK. Workers at Pratt's Bananas in Luton, Beds, say they have to work excessive hours, six or seven days a week, and fear losing their jobs if they refuse.

It opens the debate about whether there is likely to be a black market in "fair trade" in the growing consumer concept of ethical buying.