Banana forum hopes to chart course for industry
Close to seventy participants representing the Banana Growers Association, government, banana workers, trade unions and NGOs gathered at the Radisson this morning to find a way to avoid what appears to be a dismal future for one of Belize’s most important exports. Ann-Marie Williams reports.
Ann-Marie Williams
Today’s forum was sparked by “Fruit of Their Labour” a publication which documents the challenges the two thousand workers of the banana belt face on a daily basis.
In opening the event, Prime Minister Said Musa says this is an especially difficult time for the industry.
Ann-Marie Williams
“Some of the big countries are saying produce cheaper or else. How does that fare in terms of how the workers are being treated in the industry?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“What has been happening, is as I mention in my address is that the United States government, in support of its multinationals, have been pressing the European Union to open the European market to free trade to the detriment of the Caribbean banana producers. We only constitute something like two percent of the world market and even that they want to take away from us. They’re pressuring us for us to compete with these large multinational companies that show very little regard for workers rights, that are only concerned about profitability, that show very little concern for the environment, and it is in that context that they want us to compete. We are saying that cannot be right, you cannot talk about free trade unless you take account as well of environmental concerns of workers rights.”
And workers rights are paramount where the continued growth of the industry is concerned.
Richard Udin, Fyffes Representative
“Without unity between management, workers, owners, and all other stakeholders, there are already examples within the A.C.P. group of what happens when a country’s banana industry becomes fragmented and begins to slowly fall apart.”
And in order to avoid the industry falling apart Antonio Gonzalez of the Banana Task Force says we have to ask ourselves a few questions.
Antonio Gonzalez, Banana Task Force Representative
“Does it gamble and continued E.U. preferences being enough to guarantee it a market? Does it scramble to join the unwinable race to the bottom for price competivity? Or does it begin constructing a genuine partnership between all stakeholders: the owners, the workers and the government with the support of Belizean civil society?”
And with the help of civil society two of the workers were able to make their testimony this morning.
Vera Cruz, Banana Worker
“We are here today despite our fears because we believe that this forum can make a change in the industry. We hope this is the first step towards a better industry.”
Jose Franco, Banana Worker
“The greatest problem is the low salary given to us by the industry. It is not enough to feed our family and not enough is left over to cover other basic needs.”
Besides these things, the only thing we want is that the law is observed regarding the pay. That it is paid on time, complete and with a receipt, that they pay extra hours, holidays, illness and vacation.”
Henry Canton, Minister of Bananas
“If you compare it to Honduras, and Salvador and Guatemala, the fact that they are coming here indicates that things are better here. But I think one thing we were talking earlier, what we still have here may not be the best yet.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“It does not really fit into the Belizean social context. They want better, better treatment.”
Henry Canton
“Yes. But what has happened it that because of the way trade liberalisation is going one has to work backway. And if one has to work backway, from the workers want to what your market gives you, realistically one should probably shut the industry down, most agro-businesses should shut down. And in fact if one is to look at some of the big investments, like CDC, who has bought Del Oro the citrus plant, they are now wanting out. They’re divesting themselves of most agro-businesses.”
“There has to be a compromise. I think through dialogue that will come and we are hoping that’s what this forum will bring.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The forum is supposed to come up with a series of proposals to chart a way forward for the industry.
