And the work we are doing about it. Our public policies, our active programmes, and the standards we hold ourselves to — from human rights to the rose field.
“A family business that crosses borders has to be willing to put its principles in writing — and to be measured against them. These are ours.”
From the right to be free of forced and child labour to the right to organise — the seven foundational rights we owe every worker on the farm and through our supply chain.
Fair wages, transparent employment terms, and the principle that the economics of a rose harvest must work for the people who pick the petals.
Occupational health and safety standards aligned with ISO 45001 — from PPE protocols to incident reporting and the rule that nobody works in an unsafe condition.
Our environmental commitments aligned with ISO 14001 and DEMETER biodynamic standards — from waste management to biodiversity protection in the rose corridors.
Traceability from the picker's bag to the bottle. Supplier code of conduct, due diligence, and the right to audit — aligned with Fair for Life and EU CSDDD requirements.
Corporate governance, social responsibility, data privacy under Turkish KVKK law, our Code of Conduct, and our public Fair for Life commitment — the rules we have written down for ourselves.
Our grievance mechanism is the bridge from policy to practice — a confidential channel for workers, partners and the public to raise concerns and have them addressed.
Every May and June, thousands of seasonal migrant workers — including refugees travelling with children — come to Isparta and Burdur for the rose harvest. Severe poverty, the lack of childcare, and insufficient education opportunities for the children of workers in the region create great difficulties and a high risk of child labour. The lack of a place where seasonal migrant workers can leave their children while they work in the gardens causes children under the age of 15 to abandon their education and start working in the gardens illegally, where they become exposed to risks posed by working conditions.
In 2021, Aydın Gülyağı collaborated with one of its European customers and built the first Child-Friendly Space (CFS) in its rose gardens at Yeşilova. From 25 May to 17 June 2021, for twenty-four days, the CFS was operated between 07:00 and 20:00 daily, with five teachers and two young assistants, providing the maximum care and support for the children of seasonal migrant workers — outdoor games and sports, training in basic skills and hygiene, help with schooling and well-being.
The number of children between the ages of 2 and 13 who participated was seventy. For the duration of the project, Aydın Gülyağı constructed the tent of the CFS, provided teaching supplies and equipment, ensured the health and safety of the teachers and children, and supported the project in every way possible.
What the parents told us. 48% of the workers said they were less worried about their children while working, 33% said they were happier at work, and 29% said they were more efficient at work. Upon receiving these outcomes, Aydın Gülyağı is determined to continue this project in the upcoming harvest seasons — with Minerva BHR as its implementing partner.
Being a major supplier of rose oil and rose water for European brands, Aydın Gülyağı is conscious that the mandatory human rights due diligence laws in the EU will create a significant effect on its operations. To be ready, we are working with Minerva BHR to bring our human rights compliance and social sustainability practices in line with international and EU standards — across our own operations and through our supply chain.
Identification of every actor in every tier of our supply chain, down to the farm level. The map is the precondition for any meaningful risk assessment.
A human rights risk assessment across the supply chain. Red-flag issues, practical measures and recommendations — plus ongoing monitoring of whether the measures actually work.
A Human Rights Policy and Code of Conduct that reflect Aydın Gülyağı's commitment to social and environmental compliance, with an integrated grievance mechanism inside the company.
Supply chain awareness trainings on children's rights, human rights, labour law, and our policies — delivered to actors in our supply chain before the harvest season.
The Child-Friendly Space at Yeşilova will be re-organised and operated by Minerva BHR on behalf of Aydın Gülyağı — every harvest season, for as long as the seasonal workforce arrives.
Third-party certified for fair trade practices, social responsibility, and supply chain transparency. Annual audits, public commitments, full chain of custody.
The most demanding biodynamic standard in the world. Certified since 2014. Composts turned by hand, preparations buried by season, no synthetic anything.
Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points — the international food safety standard for our distillation and bottling operations. Auditable, documented, monitored continuously.
The EU's most-recognised sustainability rating, covering environment, labour, ethics and procurement. Certification process underway alongside the 2026 facility renovation.
Our grievance mechanism is open to workers, suppliers, partners, and the public. Reports are received in confidence, investigated by the sustainability department, and addressed under our written procedures. No worker is ever penalised for raising a concern.