Charities, unions and non-government organisations claimed that workers had been subjected to abuse at the plantation owned by the Dublin-based Fyffes

A Honduran melon plantation owned by the Dublin-based Fyffes, one of the world’s most prominent fruit companies, has had its Fair Trade certification suspended after allegations of abuse.

The plantation, called Suragroh, received the certification from Fair Trade USA in April. The number of people working there varies from several hundred to thousands during harvest.

The endorsement, which allowed Fyffes to market produce from Suragroh as Fair Trade-certified, was criticised by charities, unions and non-government organisations.

They claimed that workers had been subjected to different forms of abuse, including not being paid the legal minimum wage, being exposed to hazardous chemicals while working and not being allowed to form unions.

A total of 25 organisations wrote to Fair Trade USA raising these concerns, claiming that