For decades the cone pickers have been working at the risk of their lives. Harvesting of the seeds is carried out by hand and under primitive conditions.
Georgian cone pickers climb up into fir trees that are up to 30 metres tall in order to harvest the cones which carry the seeds. Many cone pickers work using no safety equipment whatsoever, which means that occupational injuries – and fatal accidents – come with the job of being a cone picker.
Fair Trees® continues to seek alternative solutions and has already come a long way in introducing new methods to achieve improved working conditions for the Georgian cone pickers. Fair Trees insist that all workers take a course on safety and that they use secure climbing equipment. The cone pickers are granted labour insurance covering costs in connection with occupational injuries and standard medical care. Furthermore, Fair Trees supports various social initiatives, ensuring education and development in the cone picker community.