Spanish Berry HRIA

IN 2020, THE LIDL GROUP CONDUCTED IT’S SECOND HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACT ASSESSMENT, LOOKING IN-DEPTH INTO THE SPANISH (HUELVA) BERRY SUPPLY CHAIN

berry

Through an annual risk assessment process, Lidl identified potential human rights risks in its Spanish fruit and vegetable supply chain and highlighted berries as a key risk commodity. This HRIA focusses on the province of Huelva in Spain, where Lidl sources large volumes of berries and has long-term supplier relationships.

This HRIA aimed to understand where and how people are being adversely impacted in the supply chain, as well as capture perspectives from stakeholders and rightsholders, to ultimately implement measures to address identified risks.

Following recognised international guidelines, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNGPs), the HRIA methodology included a desk-based baseline analysis of human rights impacts in the Huelva berry sector, interviews and surveys with both internal and external stakeholders connected to Lidl and mapping of human rights impacts identified. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an in-country field visit was not possible at the time of this assessment.

 

Download our full HRIA report here

Key Findings

Through this HRIA we have identified four fundamental human rights which are most negatively impacted in the Huelva berries sector, including:

  • The right to just and favourable working conditions
  • The right to freedom of association
  • The right to an adequate standard of living: housing
  • Access to remedy

Working conditions

The Collective Agreement, an aspect of overarching Spanish employment law, works as a binding legal instrument which defines working conditions, wages, overtime and labour regulation within Spain. This agreement states a variety of criteria including working hours and rest periods, as well as the right to just and favourable working conditions.  

Freedom of Association

The right to start or join a workplace organisation is integral to a free and open society. This is a central human right in the workplace and a prerequisite for collective bargaining, through which employers and unions can establish fair working conditions and wages.  

Housing

The right to a decent standard of living means that ‘everyone should be able to meet their basic needs under decent conditions’, this is an area that also features in the Collective Agreement for Spanish workers. This is more than just accommodation - an adequate home must meet certain requirements, including habitability, the availability of services, facilities and infrastructure, as well as location. 

Remedy

Access to effective remedy should be available to those whose rights and freedoms are violated. Despite the role of the state through courts, companies are expected to apply their own complaint mechanisms. 

      

Download our HRIA Action Plan here

Recommendations and Action Plan

Strategic Approach
Objectives and Actions
 Stakeholders
Dialogue
Share HRIA results with stakeholders in the supply chain and the wider industryApproval of action plan with suppliers to address identified impacts

Agencies

Suppliers

Cooperatives

Producers & Growers

Retailers

NGOs

Associations

Compliance and Engagement with Standards
Strenghten and review requirements e.g. Global G.A.P and social auditing

Improve grievance mechanisms in the supply chain and strengthen freedom of association at producer level

Publish a position paper on gender equality

Agencies 

Suppliers

Producers

Global G.A.P

NGOs

Unions

Strengthen Purchasing Practices
Ensure greater transparency on pricing to protect wage costsEmphasise human rights as part of supplier evaluation and development

Agencies

Suppliers

Producers

Lidl buying Department

Influence Systemic Change
Communicate progress and update action plan Dialogue with government agencies, NGOs, unions and food retailers

Agencies

Suppliers

NGOs

Governmental authorities

Unions 

Retail associations 

Multi-stakeholder initiatives