Around 18,000 banana industry workers in Colombia's Urabá region have declared a "pre-strike", threatening action if a collective bargaining agreement is not made with local businesses.

National Agriculture Workers Union (Sintrainagro) president Guillermo Rivera, explained talks continued in a bid to avoid a definitive strike on banana farms in the municipalities of Apartadó, Carepa, Chigorodó and Turbo.

"The discussion is focused on the problem that they [the employers], instead of increasing worker wages, are proposing to cut banana worker wages by 43%," Rivera told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"They justify this by saying it's the value of the dollar, that the dollar is very cheap and that the boxes are paid for in dollars. Another problem is the prices on the international market.

"This isn't a problem the workers can resolve. It's the problem of marketers and of the Colombian government that has to address these economic issues."

Rivera said a vote will be taken on May 31 in each company concerned to decide if a strike will be implemented, with Banacol, Uniban, Banafru and Grupo 20 as the main companies involved.

"On June 4 we will be hosting delegates from the national assembly that will ratify the workers' strike decision and approve a strike committee to lead the conflict. After June 4, the strike committee will declare the zero hour," he said.

If put in action, the strike would also impact the transport system, local business and ports, Rivera explained.

"The entire Urabá economy depends on the banana industry. If those workers come to a stop, the entire region comes to a stop," he said.

According to Sintrainagro estimates, a strike would prevent the export of 234,000 boxes a day of bananas, the equivalent of US$2.4 million.

Banana exports represent 30% of Colombian agricultural exports, with the exclusion of coffee.

The European Union is the main destination for Colombian bananas and remains a growing market, despite access restrictions.

www.freshfruitportal.com