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Fired Belizean banana workers win historic court case |
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29 July 2009, Banana Link
Six banana workers who were fired from their jobs in 2001 have won a historic court case against union busting on a Fyfees supplier farm called Maya King. Justice Samuel Awich ruled that when their employer John Zabaneh fired them it was in direct contravention of the Trade Union and Employers Organization’s Recognition and Registration Act. The workers who were employed by Zabaneh’s Maya King Farms alleged that their terminations in May of 2001 were as a result of their efforts to form a union.
The case went to trial in 2004 where Zabaneh argued that he had
financial problems and that is why he fired them. The workers – some of
whom were employed for as many as 13 years – all took the stand and
testified that their terminations came shortly after leading a major
meeting with all banana workers in an attempt to reach a consensus on
forming a union.
Antoinette Moore, a lawyer in Stann Creek, took the court case on pro
bono and EIGHT years later has finally got vindication for the workers.
Justice Awich awarded each of the six workers damages of $70,000 plus
court costs. Of course, it’s much too late to make any difference to
the union organizing efforts but it is a moral victory none the less
(and a financial one for the 6 workers who risked their livelihoods and
their safety to take the case).
Source: Banana Watch and Channel 7
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