[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 118 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 118

 Expressing support for the designation of February 14 of each year as 
  International Flower Workers' Day, in acknowledgment of workers in 
  flower-producing countries and to demonstrate the commitment of the 
     United States to practices that respect labor rights in other 
                               countries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 13, 2017

 Mr. Ellison (for himself, Mr. McGovern, and Mr. Pocan) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
  Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of February 14 of each year as 
  International Flower Workers' Day, in acknowledgment of workers in 
  flower-producing countries and to demonstrate the commitment of the 
     United States to practices that respect labor rights in other 
                               countries.

Whereas Colombia is the second largest exporter of flowers worldwide, with an 
        industry value of $1,300,000,000;
Whereas 77 percent of the flowers exported from Colombia are imported into the 
        United States;
Whereas Colombian flower workers and flower workers in other flower-producing 
        countries face daily health risks from contact with pesticides;
Whereas three of the pesticides used in close proximity to Colombian flower 
        workers have been found to be extremely toxic, and others have been 
        found to be carcinogenic and are restricted for use in the United 
        States;
Whereas such pesticides can cause serious health impacts, including blood and 
        skin cancer, and the repetitive motions involved in flower cultivation, 
        picking, and processing can lead to other health conditions;
Whereas many female flower workers in Colombia must take pregnancy tests and use 
        birth control in order to gain or maintain employment, reportedly due to 
        their proximity to pesticides that can cause birth defects and health 
        risks for pregnant women;
Whereas the labor force of the Colombian flower-production industry is 
        predominantly female, one-third of whom are single mothers;
Whereas Colombian flower workers work from 12 to 22 hours per day, six days a 
        week, from Valentine's Day to Mother's Day, while earning pay that is 
        insufficient to allow them to rise out of poverty;
Whereas workloads and production goals for Colombian flower workers have 
        progressively increased over the years since the beginning of the 
        flower-production industry in Colombia in the mid-1960s;
Whereas Colombian flower workers have been denied their rights to collectively 
        organize, bargain, or strike;
Whereas the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights, signed on April 7, 
        2011, was designed to improve labor conditions for workers in Colombia 
        across various sectors;
Whereas the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial 
        Organizations has suggested revisions to the plan in order to ensure 
        worker safety in Colombia; and
Whereas the commemoration of International Flower Workers' Day would acknowledge 
        and reaffirm the commitment of the United States to labor rights: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of International Flower 
        Workers' Day, in acknowledgment of workers in flower-producing 
        countries and to demonstrate the commitment of the United 
        States to practices that respect labor rights in other 
        countries;
            (2) urges the governments of Colombia and other flower-
        producing countries to investigate and respond to the social 
        and environmental impacts of the flower-producing industry in 
        those countries;
            (3) notes that the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor 
        Rights, signed on April 7, 2011, has not adequately 
        strengthened or improved working conditions in Colombia as 
        outlined or intended by the plan;
            (4) recognizes that Colombian flower workers should not 
        suffer harm from free trade, but should share in its economic 
        benefits;
            (5) supports the elimination of exploitative labor 
        practices, whether foreign or domestic, as a key policy goal of 
        the United States;
            (6) encourages the development and implementation of new 
        measures to uphold and fulfill the strong labor commitments 
        made under the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion 
        Agreement; and
            (7) supports the creation of procedures for adequate 
        followup of such new measures, with participation from the 
        flower-production industry as well as other affected 
        industries, such as palm oil production, sugar production, 
        mining, and port management.
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