ICJ concludes mission to Peru to assess social rights in the agro-export industry

An ICJ Mission to assess the respect of social rights in the Peruvian agro-export industry concluded a field visit to the country with bleak preliminary conclusions.

The Mission of observers, which included Philippe Texier and lawyers Alberto L. Gomez Z. and Carlos Lopez, focused their assessment in the Valley of Ica, south of Lima. On Wednesday 7 May, the Mission shared their visit conclusions with the Sub-committee on Labour and Social Security of the Peruvian Parliament.

Philippe Texier, former judge at the Court of Cassation of France and former chair of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, told the Parliamentary Sub-committee that conditions of work in the agroexport industry are precarious, allow cases of child labour and fall generally short of international standards accepted by Peru through international conventions.

The final report of the Mission panel will be released at a later stage after additional research and consultation is carried out.

While in Peru, the panel held meetings in Lima and in Ica with a wide range of trade unions, labour and health authorities, local NGOs, experts, individual workers and even working children.

The experts also paid visits to the field to see workers and children, were interviewed by IDL Radio and made a presentation of preliminary conclusions to the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Labour and Social Security.

The agro-export industry in Peru mainly produces asparagus, mangoes, avocado pears, paprika and grapes, most of which is exported to Europe and North America.

It has experienced exponential growth during the last decade, where important national and international investments were made in this industry.However, economic growth has not been matched with improvements in social conditions of workers and the local population.

Contact:

Carlos Lopez, Director, Business and Human Rights, carlos.lopez(a)icj.org +41 22 979 3816