ALDI UK, part of the ALDI SOUTH Group, along with eight major retailers in the UK have joined forces to commit to a living wage for banana workers in their international supply chains by 2027. This initiative complements similar agreements in Belgian, Dutch and German markets.
A spotlight on bananas
Bananas are one of the most commonly sold fruits in supermarkets all over the world. British consumers enjoy over 8 billion of them each year. These bananas are mainly sourced from Central American, South American, and West African countries, where data indicates workers are not always earning a living wage.
A living wage ensures that, at a particular time and place, the pay received by a worker is sufficient to afford a decent standard of living for them and their family. Elements of a decent standard of living include access to food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transport, and other essential needs. As such, closing the gap between the current wage and the living wage improves a worker’s standard of living.
Making the commitment a reality
The British coalition of retailers collectively commits to close the living wage gaps within their banana supply chains by end of 2027. To bring this commitment to life, ALDI UK have agreed to work according to the IDH Roadmap on Living Wages and to calculate the living wage gap in their supply chains using tools like the IDH Salary Matrix. In addition to analysing their individual company processes and procurement practices, the coalition members will work in partnership with other retail initiatives, suppliers, producers, and stakeholders like NGOs, certifiers, and trade unions. The coalition will also work in close collaboration with relevant standard organisations such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance to work towards living wages for workers.
A call to action
The coalition calls upon retailers in other consumer markets to join them, along with the initiatives underway in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany, to make living wages a reality for all banana workers.
The ALDI SOUTH Group is further strengthening the sustainability of its banana supply chain through a new approach to buying, which has been developed in partnership with strategic suppliers. This objective complements our living wage work and reflects our Vision 2030 of making sustainability affordable while implementing responsible purchasing practices.
