Valentine’s Day romantics help sustain about 140,000 jobs in Colombia
Cody Weddle, Colombia/Venezuela Correspondent
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BOGOTA, Colombia – Valentine’s Day romantics in the United States are giving hope to workers at flower farms in Colombia during the coronavirus pandemic
Diana Puentes, a mother of two, said she was able to work overtime this season. And like Puentes, 140,000 people earn their livelihood from the industry. The majority of them are women.
“Flowers represent love, harmony, friendship, and sacrifice,” Puentes said while standing inside a greenhouse for carnation growing.
After months of preparation, the most crucial steps happen in a few days. From the moment workers cut the stem, the flower has about two days before it blooms. This gives workers enough time to carefully package and refrigerate the flowers.