---

The Fairtrade Foundation has expressed shock and dismay about conditions experienced by migrant workers employed by Pratt's bananas in Luton . The Fairtrade Foundation passionately believes that all workers should be treated fairly. Whilst UK working conditions technically fall outside the scope of the FAIRTRADE Mark's explicit guarantee of a better deal for producers in developing countries, we take these issues very seriously. We have today issued a formal letter to the company, and requested that they take immediate action to address the concerns raised by the workers.

In particular, the Fairtrade Foundation, as a founder member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, recommends that the company joins this body, which was set up specifically to work with businesses on the progressive improvement of labour standards right through their supply chains, including the UK . In addition, we would urge serious dialogue by the company with the trade unions to ensure the day-to-day treatment of workers is fair, and that workers' concerns can be represented on an ongoing basis to management.

We would urge all companies and government bodies to step up their efforts to ensure full compliance with the letter and spirit of UK employment laws, to ensure dignity and respect to all workers.

- Ends –

Note to editors:

1. Pratt's bananas should not be referred to a ‘Fairtrade company'. It is a company that has been licensed to ripen the bananas sold to them by Fairtrade certified producer groups in developing countries. Less than 12% of the bananas ripened in the Luton plant come from Fairtrade certified producers, and are sold under the FAIRTRADE Mark. The remaining 87-88% are bought and sold on conventional mark et terms.

2. The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body that awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to products which meet international Fairtrade standards set by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) the umbrella organisation that unites national Fairtrade initiatives across Europe, Japan , USA , Canada , Mexico , Australia and New Zealand . This independent consumer label appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than five million people - farmers, workers and their families - across 58 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

For further information, phone the Fairtrade Foundation on 020 7405 5942

The Fairtrade Foundation,
Room 204, 16 Baldwin’s Gardens,
London EC1N 7RJ.

Tel: 020 7405 5942
Fax: 020 7405 5943
Web: www.fairtrade.org.uk