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February 19, 2024
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Greetings from the RubinaLaw! As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s a time to express gratitude to those dear to us, often through thoughtful gifts like cards, chocolate, and flowers.
Interestingly, a significant portion of the Valentine’s Day bouquets in the United States are crafted by Colombian agricultural workers. In the early 1900s, Americans predominantly purchased flowers from local growers. However, in the 1960s, the flower agricultural industry shifted to Colombia, drawn by the country’s abundant sunlight and lower minimum-wage labor costs.
By 1980, Colombia emerged as one of the world’s foremost flower exporters, second only to the Netherlands, with a staggering 80% of its flowers destined for the U.S. market. Presently, Colombia’s floriculture sector boasts an annual export value of $1.5 billion, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the floral landscape for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Despite the flourishing industry, Colombian flower workers endure substandard labor and living conditions. A staggering 65% of Colombia’s floriculture workforce comprises women, many of whom toil for over 80 hours weekly to fulfill the surging demand for flowers. Commonly reported issues include work-related injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and torn rotator cuffs, as well as instances of workplace harassment.
In the 1990s, Colombian union organizations initiated “Flower Workers’ Day” as a protest against the grueling working conditions and inadequate minimum wage prevalent in the flower industry, particularly on its busiest day of the year, February 14.
International human rights organizations, such as Witness for Peace (WFP), have actively advocated for the grievances of Colombian flower workers, aiming to amplify their voices and raise awareness in the U.S. regarding the origin of the flowers we purchase.
Evan King, a former program director for WFP, emphasizes, “There is often no awareness of how these flowers make it to our local Walmart. When people buy flowers from Colombia, we want them to understand the implications of that choice.