Background

Ecuador exports twice as many bananas as any other country in the world. Yet the estimated 300,000 or so banana workers see few of the benefits of this production. Conditions for these workers are amongst the worst in the banana industry.

The low-wage, non-unionised banana production in Ecuador is driving down conditions for banana workers around the world as companies relocate their own production and seek out the cheapest possible sources from which to purchase.

El Universo, Quito, Ecuador.  A report was presented yesterday to the Ombudsman on the effects of the use of toxic agrochemicals in banana plantations. The study was undertaken by epidemiologist Jaime Breilh, an expert in social medicine at the Simon Bolivar Andean University, Arturo Campana, psychiatrist specialised in mental health from the Centre for Health Studies, and Adolfo Maldonado, tropical medicine specialist. The team analysed 190 cases of pilots, mechanics and chemical warehouse workers in the provinces of Guayas, Los Rios and El Oro.

Mauro Romero - injured in the violent attacks at the Los Alamos plantation in 2002

Gustavo Murillo - interviewed the day after the Los Alamos attacks

Washington Orellano - leader of the port worker's association threatened with legal action for criticising his employers

Francisca "Panchita" Criollo - nurse who worked on the Rio Culebra planation describes the appalling conditions

Read an interview with Guillermo Touma, President of Fenacle, the Ecuadorian banana workers trade union.

• Inspiring banners by the Community Training and Development Unit in Scotland. The community group created two impressive banners - one for the banana workers in Ecuador and one for use in their actions.
• Race to the Bottom: Banana Workers’ Rights in Ecuador
  A4 booklet describing the conditions that Ecuador’s 250,000 banana workers face.  It describes how companies are relocating production and sourcing in a quest to supply the rich consumer markets with the ‘cheapest’ possible bananas.  As the publication uncovers, ‘cheap’ comes at a high price for the workers.
  Available from Banana Link (£3 plus p&p)
• Photos of the conditions inside the plantation. This presentation can be ordered as a PowerPoint presentation from Banana Link at info@bananalink.org.uk
• Videos of conditions inside Los Alamos
  Los Alamos “I don’t like unions.I will fight them” Short film telling the story of what happened to banana workers on the Los Alamos plantation in Ecuador when workers decided to organise and strike to gain basic labour rights. This is a unique eyewitness account of the strike and the response of the plantation owner, Ecuador’s richest man. Running time 9 mins. Available in DVD or VHS format. English/Spanish. Banana Link (2004) Price £5.00 (+ £1.75 P&P)
  Email info@bananalink.org.uk to order a copy.
• "Bonita: Ugly Bananas" Although Ecuador is the world’s largest exporter of bananas, the quarter of a million people who grow them have the lowest pay and worst working conditions in the whole of the Latin American industry. Ecuador’s biggest banana baron is Alvaro Noboa of the Bonita Brand company. He’s the country’s richest man and owns the world’s largest banana company, Noboa, but his workers are only paid $3 a day.
  When workers decided to organise and strike to gain the most basic rights, Jan Nimmo found herself witnessing a violent attack on the peaceful occupation of a Bonita banana plantation. To view more of Glasgow based artist Jan Nimmo’s work and to read more about the experiences of banana workers please visit www.greengold.org.uk. Running time 22 mins. Available in DVD or VHS. English/Spanish Cacomistle productions (2004) Available to order from www.greengold.org.uk or info@bananalink.org.uk
  
• Tainted Harvest: Report on Child Labour and Obstacles to Trade Union Organisation in Ecuador's Banana Industry
  In May 2001 the US-based NGO Human Rights Watch conducted a 3-week mission in Quito and the Guayas and El Oro provinces of Ecuador to investigate human rights abuses on banana plantations. The publication of the report sparked a flurry of reactions, denials, accusations and other media coverage particularly of child labour issues in Ecuador itself.
  The report reveals widespread violations of basic human rights, and concludes that Ecuador's labour laws are not routinely enforced and, in some aspects, the laws fail to protect internationally recognised workers' rights.
  Available from Human Rights Watch
  
• Websites updates on labour conditions in Ecuador at Human Rights Watch campaign information at US/LEAP