During the last few weeks at Stellar Winery, we have undergone a number of audits, namely fair trade (Fair for Life), organic (Control Union) and BEE. These tests are rather gruelling, so we are pleased to announce that we waltzed through them with brilliant results.
All the nail-biting details aside, we found that the audit tests gave us further confidence in the organisations who regulate industries such as organic and fair trade. Having the auditors over also showed us that we stand to benefit greatly from their expertise, which goes a long way in improving our processes and ultimately our products. Our company and products are always evolving, and feedback is essential in steering this progression - which is exactly why it was great to hear what stood out to the experts.
The Fair for Life inspectors paid us a visit between 30 July and 8 August 2012, all in the name of fair trade. The purpose of this audit is to ensure that Stellar Winery Multi-state treats workers fairly and above all, changes their lives for the better. The inspectors run strict tests and a variety of interviews to assess whether we manage clients with integrity and that our wines are appropriately priced in relation to the quality of grapes.
Two important sections of the Fair for Life inspection are that of farms and handling. The farms are audited to ensure fairness of worker relations, and for this we scored a cool 111%. Where handling is concerned, the F4L auditors had to ensure that trading, premiums received and premiums earned by workers in the form of shares are all managed with transparency and fairness. For this we scored 140%.
The audit team visited the farmers in their homes and also spent some time with the farm workers in their working environment, accompanied by Gert, the Stellar Social Development Officer. Particular attention was paid to the positive schemes we have in place for the farm workers, such as workers being able to take out small loans under fair conditions in case of need. The workers at Stellar are independent and have been successful in forming an active Workers’ Committee to protect their interests. Workers’ Committee representatives from all farms are elected by workers themselves, with employers granting them time during working hours to hold meetings and providing facilities to enable the group’s initiative.
The workers’ meeting has become a social hub and as a result, employers now permit associative activities and are exceptionally active in providing training and support to individual farmers and labourers. Regular meetings are held between Workers’ Committee representatives and farmers to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Stellar Multi-Estate also plays an active role in the Workers’ Committee meetings by consulting the representatives regularly, providing them with formal committee training and ensuring that they manage their responsibilities effectively. In these meetings, workers are informed of their right to discuss their working conditions with the appropriate body freely. Overall, the Workers’ Committee initiative has been a unifying one; farmers and workers act as a singular force to keep conditions fair and pleasant for all.
Our commitment to equality informs our attitude to hiring new employees. All workers receive the same contract with their respective employer, covering all legal aspects of employment and promoting mutual respect and harmony through cultural and educational activities. We uphold a clear non-discriminatory hiring policy based on qualification and merits, sharpening our focus on our mission to create employment for disadvantaged groups.
“We realise that Stellar is a pioneer in fair trade wine and fair trade in South Africa, which does a lot of promoting of fair trade within South Africa and towards the buyers,” was a humbling and much appreciated comment. The auditors also praised our close co-operation with long term fair trade buyers and our efforts to raise public awareness of fair trade practices. To add some bubbles to the wine, the auditors claim that Stellar makes a great effort to achieve high standards of product quality while fulfilling all key requirements of the market.
The fair trade policy at Stellar is made known to all relevant groups. Workers, supervision and management staff are informed about the basics of our fair trade approach with its possible implications and are fully involved in fair trade policy development. Furthermore, we pour a great amount of enthusiasm into the three annual Workers Assemblies in which all workers congregate to participate in presentations and discussion of social responsibility and fair trade.
The social impact made by the Stellar Empowerment Trust did not go unnoticed either, with workers having 26% ownership of shares in Stellar Winery. The wellbeing of our organisation is of outmost importance to us and we strive to enrich our sphere of opportunity with every decision we make. We maintain positive, open communication with the surrounding communities and are constantly informing them of new developments. This means that farm workers and their families, mostly from the Trawal, Klawer, Vredendal and Koekenaap regions, benefit from our events, feeding and care schemes and are always provided with information that is aimed at improving their standard of living.
It is an exciting time for us, amplified by our stellar performance in three strict audits. We are encouraged by the fact that these institutions are pleased with the way we operate and have infused us with further motivation to keep up our momentum in refining our process. We are tempted to ask you to “watch this space”, but we will raise our glasses in celebration instead.
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