Unions are non-existent in the agricultural and informal sectors, where most Ecuadorians are employed and conditions are often worst. One poignant example of this phenomenon is the plight of Ecuadorian banana workers, who are unorganized and receive derisory wages of $2-3 per day.
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Do Ecuadorian laws protect their workers?
Ecuadorian law fails to protect effectively the right to freedom of association, and employers take advantage of the weak law and even weaker enforcement to impede worker organizing. Workers illegally fired for union activity have no right to reinstatement.
Is there child Labour in Ecuador?
In 2020, Ecuador made significant advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.However, children in Ecuador are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also engage in dangerous tasks in mining.
What are the working conditions for children in the banana industry?
“In the course of their work, [child banana workers] were exposed to toxic pesticides, used sharp knives and machetes, hauled heavy loads of bananas, drank unsanitary water, and some were sexually harassed,” noted HRW. Harvesting bananas is hard work and is often accompanied by exposure to dangerous chemicals.
How much do banana plantation workers earn?
Unionized banana workers can make $10 a day or more, with benefits equivalent to another $10 a day. Most unionized banana workers have access to healthcare, schools for their children, and housing. Most non-union banana workers make $3 a day or less, with no benefits, and no voice at work.
How does the banana industry contribute to child Labour?
Prices: The stagnation of prices per box of bananas makes it difficult for farmers to cover rising costs of production. This encourages producers to hire a cheap workforce, including children, in order to lower the costs of production.
What age can you start working in Ecuador?
15 years
The Constitution, approved in 2008, sets the minimum age for employment at 15 years, prohibiting child labor below this age. Minimum age provisions do not apply to children involved in formative cultural or ancestral practices, as long as they are not exposed to physical or psychological harm.
What is the education system like in Ecuador?
Primary education begins at age 6 with the first grade and ends at age 12 with sixth grade. Secondary education consists of two three-year cycles, a basic cycle, and a diversified cycle. This latter cycle may lead to higher education. University studies last from four to seven years, depending on specialization.
Does Ecuador have poverty?
Ecuador is an extremely poor country. Thirty-five percent of its population lived in poverty in 1994 and an additional seventeen percent were highly vulnerable to poverty. In addition, rural poverty is undoubtedly more severe than urban poverty.
Why are bananas bad for the environment?
This lack of genetic variety makes plants highly susceptible to pests, fungi and diseases, and therefore large quantities of insecticides and other pesticides are applied to the crops. In fact, bananas are sprayed with more pesticides compared to other tropical fruit because of the fruit’s thick peel.
Do Dole bananas have pesticides?
In tiny print on the coin-sized stickers on banana rinds, beneath familiar brand names like Dole, Chiquita, and Del Monte, consumers can find a banana’s origin—usually Ecuador, Colombia, or Costa Rica. An overwhelming amount of pesticides are applied to the sensitive banana crops grown in these developing countries.
Are bananas from Ecuador safe?
Ecuador is the world’s largest banana exporter.An investigation by Danish media center DanWatch has revealed that extremely hazardous pesticides are commonly used on Ecuador’s banana plantations. While the country’s agriculture industry is booming, local communities are paying the price.
What is a banana farm called?
A banana plantation is a commercial agricultural facility found in tropical climates where bananas are grown.
How many times a year does a banana tree bear fruit?
Once a banana tree flowers and its fruit has been harvested, you may cut it down to the ground to make room for new, productive trees to grow up from the creeping underground stem. Each individual tree will only flower and bear fruit once.
Why is banana so cheap?
Bananas might not stay cheap much longer
One reason the Cavendish is so easy — and thus inexpensive — to grow is that these plants reproduce asexually, which means that each banana tree is basically a clone of its predecessor and each banana tastes exactly the same.
What happened to Chiquita Brand bananas?
Chiquita, whose bananas are found in markets around the U.S., has agreed to sell itself to a coalition of two Brazilian companies. The two Brazilian firms are produce and juice company Cutrale Group and the global investment conglomerate Safra Group.
Where is Dole banana from?
Dole grows bananas – or sources from independent growers – in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Dominican Republic. It also owns pineapple plantations in Costa Rica and Honduras and sources from independent producers in Costa Rica.
How are bananas Fair Trade?
Fairtrade works with banana farmers, workers employed on plantations and with the banana trade to create more value for producers and ensure people get a decent price and decent pay for the hard labour that goes into growing this crop.
What is the most common job in Ecuador?
Ecuador: Oil and Agriculture
The oil sector is still the most dominant by far. Ecuador’s oil producing sector has not only given many Ecuadorians a secure job, but is also a large factor in drawing expats to the country. Other growth sectors include chemicals, machinery, construction, and electronics.
What language do they speak in Ecuador?
SpanishEcuador’s official language is Spanish, but Quichua, the lingua franca of the Inca Empire, is spoken by many of the indigenous people. Nine additional indigenous languages are also spoken in Ecuador.
Can a US citizen move to Ecuador?
Tourist visas are simple to obtain for most visitors and are valid for 90 days, although they can be extended up to 180 days. Most simply require a passport valid for at least 180 days from entry. Visitors from the US and EU countries can simply arrive in Ecuador with a valid passport and receive the visa.
