Although no two people are the same, it’s likely that workers will feel more satisfied if they experience these fundamental basics:

— a healthy and safe work environment

— fair pay

— human rights and worker rights

In the UK and EU there are laws that require farmers and food producers to pay their workers a minimum wage, provide a working environment that meets certain health and safety standards, and ensure they have basic rights - like being able to join a union, and basic protections - like freedom from discrimination, abuse or forced labour. However, lots of the food we eat is grown, processed or packaged in countries where there are fewer laws to protect workers. This can result in a lack of access to the absolute basics e.g. a loo, hand washing facilities and safety equipment.

Some food doesn’t grow in a European climate, so when you shop for food such as bananas, coffee or tea look out for the Fairtrade label. Fairtrade farmers are likely to have better rights, and be paid more fairly for the food they produce. This means more money can circulate in farming communities, and workers can become more independent, safer and ultimately more satisfied.