All field workers spend the entire day on the field. No clean, safe drinking water is provided. If workers don't bring any from home, they don't have water for that day. As well, no protective equipment is given. Workers have to use their own shoes and are not given any protection from the chemicals. Chemicals are sprayed aerially and on the ground. These chemicals have serious effects on the workers. The toxic pesticides get on their skin and in their eyes.
Planters are expected to plant at least 300 banana plants per day. If they don't get at least 300 in the ground, they are refused pay.
Deleafers cut diseased leaves off of the banana plants. One hectare has around 2000 plants - deleafers are expected to get through at least 4 hectares per day, or 8000 plants. They are paid approximately a dollar per hectare per day.
Deleafing all day at the rate they are expected to work at causes serious health problems. Some of the effects deleafers reported were:
Deleafing all day at the rate they are expected to work at causes serious health problems. Some of the effects deleafers reported were:
- neck problems
- abdominal pain
- back problems
- knee problems
- falling off ladders and collapsing
- babysitter for children
- rent
- school for children
- electricity
- water
- food