The SITRABI workers union, located in the Izabal region of Northern Guatemala, has issued a statement recognising the goodwill and positive collaboration that has characterised recent dialogue with producing company Frutera del Pacifico, a subsidiary of AgroAmérica. The dialogue has centred on resolving events that took place in May when a number of workers in Southern Guatemala who had participated in training on labour rights and human rights were subsequently dismissed.
SITRABI has taken an active role in recent years in seeking to educate workers in the Pacific South plantations belonging to several companies. For several years this work was supported by the British trade union confederation TUC and Banana Link. More recently, a programme of the US Department of Labor and the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center has supported this work and the US Labour Attaché has acted as a guarantor of good faith in the dialogue with the company. Guatemala is the fourth largest exporter of bananas globally, and the United States is the main export destination for Guatemalan bananas.
Banana Link continues to play a role of facilitating regular dialogue between SITRABI and Grupo AgroAmérica, one of the largest producing companies in the country which employs some 7,000 workers in its two subsidiaries in the South. Following the events that took place this May, Banana Link facilitated a series of calls between the company and the union to try and find solutions to the problem.
Senior AgroAmérica management played an active role in finding solutions and, as the statement from SITRABI confirms, a group of workers have been reinstated and local management and security personnel have received training on human rights issues. Banana Link wishes to draw public attention to AgroAmérica’s commitment to trade union freedom and calls on its customers in North America and Europe to take account of its willingness to engage in good faith dialogue.
Read the full statement from SITRABI below:
“In relation to the situation that occurred in the farms operated by Frutera del Pacifico, a subsidiary of AgroAmerica, this May, which involved the sacking of workers who had been trained in human rights and labour rights, SITRABI wishes to make the following statement.
We recognise the dialogue that has taken place to address and resolve the problems that have arisen and to respect freedom of association. We appreciate the spirit of collaboration and goodwill shown by all parties in this process. Deborah Martierrez, Labour Attaché at the US Embassy in Guatemala, and Jason Boccaccio, Deputy Director for Central America at the Solidarity Center, acted as guarantors in this dialogue.
Frutera del Pacífico has declared and reaffirmed its commitment in the agreement concluded on 14 June 2024, to respect freedom of association and the participation of workers in the formation of a union, as well as in training groups and their interest in forming and associating freely. Frutera del Pacifico has stated that it has taken action to prevent any subcontracted management, administrative or security personnel from engaging in actions that could be considered retaliatory, intimidatory or in violation of the rights to freedom of association and unionisation, in accordance with the agreement reached on 14/06/2024, the legislation in force and international conventions.
Five people have been reinstated at the VISTA BELLA farm since the 17th June, and two others will start in July of their own free will. Measures have been put in place to ensure that their labour rights are fully respected.
We note that the corporation had in the past a successful relationship of more than 20 years with a union allied to SITRABI in Izabal, which ended amicably due to natural phenomena beyond the control of both parties. According to the corporation’s spokespersons, it maintains successful relations with two unions in other operations where freedom of association and labour rights are respected.
We will continue the process of constructive dialogue, jointly promoting respect for labour rights and dialogue mechanisms. We commit to continue to work together to strengthen a fair and equitable working environment for all.
We urge all parties concerned to pay attention to this declaration, which demonstrates good faith and willingness to respect and guarantee ILO Conventions 87 and 98.”
