America’s houseplants come at a steep price for greenhouse workers
The people who grow houseplants aren't often thought of as agricultural workers, but they face many of the same hardships — especially in extreme heat.
On Tuesday, activists marched past a plant nursery in Leicester, North Carolina, demanding Costa Farms ensure proper protections for workers from extreme heat. The nursery is operated by the world's largest grower of indoor houseplants. Oscar Rozo, an Episcopal clergy member, led a group of activists from WeCount, a labor and human rights group.
WeCount has been advocating for outdoor workers' rights since 2021, but their efforts were thwarted by a 2024 Florida law. Planting Justice, a new campaign by WeCount, aims to bring corporations like Costa Farms to the table and raise consumer awareness about the human cost of growing plants. The activists called on Costa Farms to provide access to water, shade, and paid breaks for nursery workers.
Costa Farms claims to have received awards for workplace protections but maintains that its heat protection policy aligns with proposed OSHA rules.
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