New requirements to SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) workforce audits will require UK farming and growing business to pay for the recruitment and transportation fees of the seasonal workers they employ.
SEDEX is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. SMETA is the audit methodology created by SEDEX to evaluate a company’s ethical and responsible business practices and manages performance around labour rights, health and safety, the environment and business ethics.
The NFU is calling for a halt to proposed changes to rules requiring growers to pay the recruitment fees of workers, which it fears could have a substantial, financially damaging impact on farming and growing businesses.