Apply a worker centric approach to combatting labor exploitation in agriculture in three countries (mexico, chile, and south africa)

The Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs awarded $5 million under the International Labor Programs (CFDA 17.401) cooperative agreement to The Fair Food Standards Council Inc. to apply a worker-centric approach to combatting labor exploitation in the agriculture industries of Mexico, Chile, and South Africa through December 2025. Key deliverables include adapting worker education and audit materials for each country; partnering with local worker organizations and civil society to conduct initial worker training and audits; establishing and operating a 24/7 complaint hotline; recruiting additional participating buyers and growers; and studying the effectiveness of the pilot program. The project aims to strengthen labor protections and compliance on flower farms while increasing the understanding of factors affecting the scalability of the Fair Food Program model in pilot countries. No sub-recipient activities are included.

Activities performed a. Adapt worker education and audit materials for each country B. Partner with local worker organizations and civil society C. Conduct initial worker education and entry audits D. Establish and operate 24/7 complaint hotline E. Establish and implement fair flower working group F. Recruit additional participating buyers + growers G. Study effectiveness of pilot program through cmep (with ilab/merl) deliverables outcome 1: stronger labor rights protections and increased compliance with labor laws on flower farms of mexico, chile, and south africa. Sub-outcome 1.1: increased capacity of worker organizations and civil society organizations to implement the FFP's WSR approach. Sub-outcome 1.2: increased rights consciousness of farmworkers in each country. Outcome 2: increased understanding of factors affecting the scalability and replicability of the FFP model in pilot countries. Sub-outcome 2.1: increased capacity of worker organizations and civil society organizations to implement FFP's WSR approach and enforce labor and human rights protections. Sub-outcome 2.2: increased awareness of consumers and private sector stakeholders of the feasibility of implementing FFP's WSR approach in agriculture. Sub-outcome 2.3: increased exploration of expansion for additional crops, growers, and buyers within the FFP. Intended beneficiary the limited-in-scope expansion project targets for this proposal will be specific flower farms in chile, mexico, and south africa that are owned, operated, or significantly aligned with existing fair food program participating growers subrecipient activities NA