OIT - Assessment of the drivers and constraints for occupational safety and health improvement and social protection of workers in the castor...

International Labour Organization Assessment of the Drivers and Constraints for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Improvement and Social Protection of Workers in the Castor Value Chain in Kenya: Key research findingsMapping of the castor sector in Kenya Kenya’s agricultural sector relies on 7.5 million smallholder farmers, contributing 80% of total production. Their reliance on rainfed agriculture has made them highly vulnerable to climate change. Since 2021, the government of Kenya is collaborating with the Italian energy company Eni S.p.A. to cultivate drought-tolerant oilseed crops for bio-refinery supply, including castor seeds, promoting decarbonization. In 2024, around 90’000 farmers were engaged in the cultivation of castor seeds for Eni’s Agri hubs, where the oil is extracted and pressed before being exported to Italy for refinement into biodiesel and bio jet fuel. The situation of castor farmers and farm workers Social protection coverage Farmers in the castor value chain, like those in other agricultural sectors, are exposed to various occupational risks with limited social protection. To better understand their situation and develop targeted interventions, the ILO conducted a study in 2024 to identify the drivers and constraints for OSH improvements and access to social health protection in the castor value chain. The research used the ILO’s methodology for OSH improvements in global value chains, which was adapted to include social protection. This research was conducted under the project “Improving Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Access to Social Protection for Workers in the Agri-business Sectors”, funded by Eni and implemented by the ILO. Castor farmer in Kenya, ILO 2025 Castor farmer in Kenya, ILO 2024 X The results from this research were presented and discussed with stakeholders from the value chain on (7th November 2024), and subsequently validated. They informed the development of joint interventions to address areas of concern requiring immediate attention to improve workers’ health and safety and their access to social protection. Farmers X Social health insurance coverage among farmers remains very low. For those who are covered,

chain on (7th November 2024), and subsequently validated. They informed the development of joint interventions to address areas of concern requiring immediate attention to improve workers’ health and safety and their access to social protection. Farmers X Social health insurance coverage among farmers remains very low. For those who are covered, enrolment is predominantly through countylevel schemes rather than national ones, with cooperative members showing higher levels of coverage. X Coverage under the National Social Security Fund is minimal and limited to those with a history of formal employment. Farm workers X Among small and medium farms, there is no coverage under the National Social Security Fund and only limited enrolment in health insurance schemes. Coverage tends to be higher in large farms, except for seasonal workers who remain largely excluded. X Awareness of non-contributory schemes is relatively high, with some workers reporting access to maternity schemes. Factors influencing their vulnerability 2024 around 90’000 F ARMERS X Low level of affiliation to contributory social protection in small and medium farms - including for employment injury - affects income security and access to healthcare; X Smalls farms have limited access to appropriate equipment and financial resources; X Castor seeds aggregators with variable capacity to support farmers, small aggregators having less capacities; X Irregularity of incomes/earnings; X Members of cooperatives are more likely to receive support, be enrolled in social protection schemes, and pool resources; X Nutritional deficiency and hunger.Production of castor seeds by local farmers1. Collection and threshing of seeds by aggregators2. Transformation of seeds in oil extraction facilities3. Export of vegetable oil to refineries / animal feed / fertilizer for the local market4. ERGONOMIC Manually handling heavy loads, awkward postures and repetitive movements MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using tools/equipment BIOLOGICAL · Exposure to insect bites carrying diseases and

Manually handling heavy loads, awkward postures and repetitive movements MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using tools/equipment BIOLOGICAL · Exposure to insect bites carrying diseases and snake bites · Exposure to bacteria/viruses found in unclean water, raw manure and compost · Exposure to biological dust and contact with plants leading to allergic reactions PSYCHOSOCIAL Long working hours and stress/anxiety related to crop yield, unexpected climate events and damages caused by wildlife animals CHEMICAL Exposure to hazardous agrochemical PHYSICAL · Exposure to risk of slipping or tripping and falling · Risk of being injured while in a vehicle/ motorbike (road accidents) · Exposure to high temperature and UV radiation (risk increased by limited access to drinking water) +8hs ERGONOMIC · Manually handling heavy loads (sacks of over 50 kg) · Awkward postures and repetitive movements CHEMICAL Exposure to agrochemicals BIOLOGICAL Exposure to biological dust PHYSICAL · Exposure to excessive noise (average of 100db from threshing machinery) · Exposure to the risk of falling from heights · Risk of being injured while in a vehicle/ motorbike (road accidents) MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using equipment/ machines (moving parts of machinery) FIRE Exposure to the risk of fire An overview of the castor value chain in Kenya The situation of castor farmers and farm workers

accidents) MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using equipment/ machines (moving parts of machinery) FIRE Exposure to the risk of fire An overview of the castor value chain in Kenya The situation of castor farmers and farm workers Main occupational hazards and risks Situation of workers in castor seeds aggregation sites Main occupational hazards and risks Production of castor seeds by local farmers1. Collection and threshing of seeds by aggregators2. Transformation of seeds in oil extraction facilities3. Export of vegetable oil to refineries / animal feed / fertilizer for the local market4. ERGONOMIC Manually handling heavy loads, awkward postures and repetitive movements MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using tools/equipment BIOLOGICAL · Exposure to insect bites carrying diseases and snake bites · Exposure to bacteria/viruses found in unclean water, raw manure and compost · Exposure to biological dust and contact with plants leading to allergic reactions PSYCHOSOCIAL Long working hours and stress/anxiety related to crop yield, unexpected climate events and damages caused by wildlife animals CHEMICAL Exposure to hazardous agrochemical PHYSICAL · Exposure to risk of slipping or tripping and falling · Risk of being injured while in a vehicle/ motorbike (road accidents) · Exposure to high temperature and UV radiation (risk increased by limited access to drinking water) +8hs ERGONOMIC · Manually handling heavy loads (sacks of over 50 kg) · Awkward postures and repetitive movements CHEMICAL Exposure to agrochemicals

water) +8hs ERGONOMIC · Manually handling heavy loads (sacks of over 50 kg) · Awkward postures and repetitive movements CHEMICAL Exposure to agrochemicals BIOLOGICAL Exposure to biological dust PHYSICAL · Exposure to excessive noise (average of 100db from threshing machinery) · Exposure to the risk of falling from heights · Risk of being injured while in a vehicle/ motorbike (road accidents) MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using equipment/ machines (moving parts of machinery) FIRE Exposure to the risk of fire Production of castor seeds by local farmers1. Collection and threshing of seeds by aggregators2. Transformation of seeds in oil extraction facilities3. Export of vegetable oil to refineries / animal feed / fertilizer for the local market4. ERGONOMIC Manually handling heavy loads, awkward postures and repetitive movements MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using tools/equipment BIOLOGICAL · Exposure to insect bites carrying diseases and snake bites · Exposure to bacteria/viruses found in unclean water, raw manure and compost · Exposure to biological dust and contact with plants leading to allergic reactions PSYCHOSOCIAL Long working hours and stress/anxiety related to crop yield, unexpected climate events and damages caused by wildlife animals CHEMICAL Exposure to hazardous agrochemical PHYSICAL · Exposure to risk of slipping or tripping and falling · Risk of being injured while in

yield, unexpected climate events and damages caused by wildlife animals CHEMICAL Exposure to hazardous agrochemical PHYSICAL · Exposure to risk of slipping or tripping and falling · Risk of being injured while in a vehicle/ motorbike (road accidents) · Exposure to high temperature and UV radiation (risk increased by limited access to drinking water) +8hs ERGONOMIC · Manually handling heavy loads (sacks of over 50 kg) · Awkward postures and repetitive movements CHEMICAL Exposure to agrochemicals BIOLOGICAL Exposure to biological dust PHYSICAL · Exposure to excessive noise (average of 100db from threshing machinery) · Exposure to the risk of falling from heights · Risk of being injured while in a vehicle/ motorbike (road accidents) MECHANICAL Risk of being injured using equipment/ machines (moving parts of machinery) FIRE Exposure to the risk of fire An overview of the castor value chain in Kenya The situation of castor farmers and farm workers Main occupational hazards and risks Situation of workers in castor seeds aggregation sites Main occupational hazards and risks

MAIN OCCUPATIONAL

HAZARDS AND RISKS

STAGES OF THE VALUE CHAINKey constraints X At institutional level: X Limited to no coordination between institutions in charge of OSH, social protection, health and agriculture undermines the achievement of synergies X Limited capacities to enforce or implement OSH in workplaces. X Procedures to affiliation to social protection are not well adapted to the realities of farmers and farm workers (including complex registration processes and low levels of awareness)..

X Within the value chain: X Limited awareness and knowledge about

X Limited capacities to enforce or implement OSH in workplaces. X Procedures to affiliation to social protection are not well adapted to the realities of farmers and farm workers (including complex registration processes and low levels of awareness)..

X Within the value chain: X Limited awareness and knowledge about hazards, risks and preventive measures; and about rights and obligations to social protection schemes, procedures, and benefits.

X Limited financial capacity among farm workers and many farmers to invest in OSH and afford social protection contribution rates. Main drivers and constraints for occupational safety and health improvement and access to social protection in the castor value chain Key drivers X At policy and national institutional level: X New social health insurance law makes coverage mandatory. X New OSH law and policy. X A clear strategy for the extension of social protection coverage to workers in the informal and rural economy creates momentum for change. X At institutional level in communities: X Presence of community health promoters, a potential resource for promotion and prevention activities X Presence of agricultural extension officers providing support to farms and aggregators X Network of OSH training providers facilitates roll-out of potential training activities X Within the value chain: X Presence of aggregators and cooperatives within the value chain to support farmers X Aggregator field officers visit each farm every month presenting a potential to provide further support X International certification mechanism (requirements to comply with ISCC) Social protection coverage Small aggregators Workers are not covered by social protection schemes. Few workers have affiliated independently to health insurance. Aggregators generally bear treatment expenses in case of work-related accidents and diseases. Medium and large aggregators Workers are covered by social protection schemes through remittances by employers. Since affiliation to the work injury scheme is ongoing, employers directly cover any remaining costs related to work accidents or occupational diseases. Factors influencing vulnerability Size of aggregators X Limited or uneven social protection coverage among workers in small and medium aggregation

remittances by employers. Since affiliation to the work injury scheme is ongoing, employers directly cover any remaining costs related to work accidents or occupational diseases. Factors influencing vulnerability Size of aggregators X Limited or uneven social protection coverage among workers in small and medium aggregation sites, resulting from inconsistent compliance with social protection obligations among employers, affects income security and access to healthcare; X Low investment in OSH prevention and less task rotation in small aggregators; X Limited training and access to personal protective equipments for temporary workers. Agri-Hub Technician, Kenya, ILO 2024 The Situation X Factors within the value chain that could be both drivers and constraints: X Presence of a single end buyer within the value chain means that many of the factors influencing change (whether positive or negative) in the value chain rely on actions of one stakeholder. X The value chain in Kenya creates space for innovation whilst also posing a challenge to ensuring alignment in maintaining consistent safety and health standards among all stakeholders.Recommendations for improvement International Labour Organization Route des Morillons 4 1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland ilo.org International Labour Organization Strengthen institutional coordination, capacities and procedures X Strengthen coordination between social protection, OSH, labour, agriculture and health actors at central and county levels to expand reach of respective activities and promote referrals between them. X Strengthen institutional capacities to provide advice and support workplaces in OSH improvements (notably for chemical hazard control to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals). X Support social protection institutions to adopt clear and flexible registration and contribution collection procedures in order to expand coverage for farmers and farm workers. Address financial barriers faced by farmers and workers X Identify options to strengthen farmers and farm workers’ capacity to contribute to social protection schemes, including through subsidies, for example. X Support farmer investments in OSH and appropriate personal protective equipment and tools. X Strengthen financial literacy among workers and farmers, and financial management capacities of small cooperatives/aggregators. X Improve the quality of seeds provided to farmers to

schemes, including through subsidies, for example. X Support farmer investments in OSH and appropriate personal protective equipment and tools. X Strengthen financial literacy among workers and farmers, and financial management capacities of small cooperatives/aggregators. X Improve the quality of seeds provided to farmers to improve yields and income. Raise awareness and strengthen knowledge and practices at farm level X Raise awareness about available social protection schemes (benefits, enrolment and contribution payment procedures, entitlements) using existing resources within and beyond the value chain. X Strengthen capacities of farmers, farm workers and cooperatives/aggregators to identify occupational risks and implement prevention measures. Support joint initiatives and the organization of farmers at community level X Develop community-led initiatives to manage wildlife risks. X Facilitate the formation of cooperatives among farmers and farm workers within the value chain, who can play a key role in OSH improvements and social protection coverage expansion. X Support the creation of sectoral committees to strengthen social dialogue and address issues at community level. Support infrastructures improvements in farming communities X Improve road infrastructure to prevent road accidents. X Strengthen farming communities’ access to clean water. Seed cake loading at an Agri-Hub, ILO 2024