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Human Rights Violations on Chiquita Banana Plantations

 

A perspective from Claire Templeton

 

Out of the entire value of a Chiquita banana, workers receive approximately 1-3% of its retail value, and wages do not cover basic necessities for workers (Food Empowerment Project, 4). Additionally, workers consistently face employment instability, sexism, health issues from agrochemicals, psychological ramifications, and union conflicts with Chiquita Banana because of a lack of corporate responsibility and ethical agricultural practices, both of which are largely amendable.

Chiquita Banana is the largest banana producer in the world, operating in approximately 127 countries, mostly in Latin America, and employing about 20,000 individuals (Wicki, 313); Additionally, bananas are the most sought fruit in the United States and the E.U., making production at the lowest cost the objective of the industry (Robinson, 569). However, some farms have taken steps to combat this issue by adopting more ethical practices. Erick Aguilar Vargas, commercial manager of Earth’s banana production, states that their farm utilizes hot pepper and garlic to keep pests away and compost to keep the soil rich (Stewart, 12). According to the Food Empowerment Project, 15% of the pesticides used in the banana industry land on the crops, while 85% land on the workers and infrastructure that impacts their daily lives (14). When these pesticides land on workers, they can face complications such as infertility, allergic reactions, and long-term exposure to cancerous elements (Prieto-Carrón, 91). Bananas Growing in the Forest plantation in Costa Rica has set aside 100 acres of rainforest on its 600-acre plantation where zero pesticides are used on their crops, and the business has been able to keep pests away because the rainforest creates a natural temperature and light level that keeps fungus from growing (Stewart, 15).

While the producers have a definite role in improving the treatment of works, consumers also have a role in promoting ethical practices. The Food Empowerment Project encourages consumers to purchase bananas from Equal Exchange, Coliman, Earth University, and Organics Unlimited/GROW (26-29), all of which practice more sustainable and ethical methods. The Equal Exchange company can be found at Weaver Street Market, Whole Foods, and other health food stores. The Food Empowerment Project also educates consumers on where their money goes in the agricultural industry, and how more ethical decisions can be made.

Although agricultural practices must be made more ethical, Chiquita Banana must also be held accountable from a corporate standpoint. The corporation has faced countless accusations, including lawsuits for supporting the AUC paramilitary group in Colombia, going bankrupt in 2002, and for greenwashing consumers (Wicki, 314). Another recommendation for Chiquita Banana is to adopt the corporate responsibility model of business, which emphasizes transparency and authenticity. Some of the benefits of the CR model include sensitivity to political/economic contexts, concrete values, and strong leadership (Werre, 247).

While many smaller producers of bananas have had success with adopting ethical agricultural practices and corporate responsibility, corporations that supply greater numbers of bananas must be held equally accountable. When decreasing the use of agrochemicals, offering fair wages, and being transparent, workers will be treated more fairly and avoid the complications that come with unethical practices.

 


“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.