On the occasion of the Green Week in Berlin, a working group of several German food retailers wants to ensure that farmers in living supply chains worldwide receive living wages. Representatives of Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland, Rewe, DM and Tegut want to sign a voluntary declaration on Friday (10:00 a.m.) together with Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU).-
According to the paper that the German press agency had previously had, the companies want to help “enable farming and working families in global supply chains to have a decent standard of living”. First, the companies want to limit themselves to the production of their own brands. Their supply chains should become more transparent.
Tracing should be possible from the plantation to the supplier. The companies also want to see whether human rights are respected in the manufacture of their products. The Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) is to coordinate the working group. Supermarket chains are repeatedly criticized for low food prices.
According to Minister Müller, seven large German supermarket chains are now committed to living wages in their supply chains: “It is good that there is movement in the food trade.” This also shows that consumer pressure is working. More and more consumers wanted to know how their food is produced. “The seven pioneering companies recognize for the first time that low incomes are a great challenge and living wages are more urgent than ever,” emphasized Müller.
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