Costa Rica: Del Monte banana workers strike for more pay
More than 500 workers at three banana plantations in the area of Sixaola, near the Panama border, are on strike over low wages, website Insidecostarica.com reported.
The plantations belong to Del Monte, where workers claim they have attempted for almost a year and a half to negotiate a fair deal.
Work minister, Sandra Piszk, has said she will intervene in the dispute as a last resort but would prefer Dole and its employees to reach an agreement independently.
The National Banana Corporation (CORBANA) has opted to stay out of the conflict, deciding it was a company, rather than an industry, matter.
Costa Ricans, Nicaraguans and indigenous Guaymi of Panama are among the employees at the plantations.
Photo: Bananaspot.com