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'Women Deserve a Fair and Decent Living – Another World is Possible.'  For decades there has been a lack of female representation within Latin American banana workers unions. However, over the last 20 years, ‘banana women’ (mujeres bananeras) have made huge efforts and huge achievements in getting women represented in the Trade Unions, as described in Dana Frank’s book ‘Bananeras’ (available from Banana Link). Women have campaigned for gender equity and empowerment of trade union leaders and for the focus on women’s concerns to be central to the agenda of trade unions. (See the resolutions of the COLSIBA 2005 Conference).
Iris Munguia, Coordinator of COLSIBA’s Women’s Secretariat notes that the culture of trade unions is still male “at present there are some male leaders, but very few, who are aware of gender equity issues....It’s not just a question of women, but of gender. Men need to understand our labours, and we need to get involved in our unions.” In order for trade unions to be successful and represent all members, women have been calling for mixed activities on gender issues involving men, women and union leaders. COLSIBA recognises that ‘men alone cannot fairly negotiate about certain elements of work on the plantations. Women also need a voice for their needs.’ Recent achievements include the recognition of a new Honduran banana workers’ union, the first in Latin America to be led by two women. Oneyda Galindo, president of the new union, SITRASUR, has said ‘we’re very proud to say that over half the members of the union are women…thanks to a lot of awareness-raising work.’ In March 2006, Adela Torres was elected General Secretary of the Colombian agribusiness workers' union, SINTRAINAGRO. The union is the largest Latin America's plantation workers' unions, with over 15,000 banana workers, plus several thousand palm oil and plantain farmworkers. After a decade of struggle to be recognised as equals in a male-dominated trade union, women banana workers have secured representation at the highest level of their union for the first time. More details are available from Union to Union Bulletin 10 . Banana Link focuses on the opportunities for solidarity between workers in the banana exporting countries at one end of the supply chain and trade union members and consumers in the UK at the other. Our Union to Union project aims to work towards ending discrimination against women in their employment and increasing the decision-making power of women in unions. Actions of our trade union partners in Latin America includes: Advocacy to improve labour legislation in banana producing countries, particularly to protect women against sexual harassment and discrimination, including the compliance of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions such as the ratification of Convention 184 on health and safety. Collective bargaining and framework agreements with banana companies. Raising awareness of the unfair balance of domestic work, and persuading men that it is right for them to share the burden. Campaigning for a fair income, which will cover the needs of the individual (male or female) and the needs of the family. Informing women about the health risks involved in working in the banana industry, and how they can protect themselves against these risks, as well as how to gain access to medical treatment. Education work to empower women to have greater involvement in their unions.
Further Reading Read the testimonies of women trade union activists:
Click here to read an interview with Mireya Rodriguez Rodriguez about the work of the Women's Committee of Costa Rican banana worker's union, SITRAP, to empower women to participate actively in their union and promote their rights both in the workpalce, and wider society. Ines C. Binns, a Member of Panamanian Trade Union, SITRAIBANA Maria Eugenia Duran, a Trade Union Leader who Participated in a Successful Strike in Costa Rica The Regional Women Banana Worker's Agenda, COLSIBA, 2004
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