Colombian agreement averts banana strike
Colombia's banana industry is set to avoid strikes after key players reached an agreement that will raise workers' salaries, while also providing health, housing and education benefits. 
The deal was reached between the National Agriculture Workers Union (Sintrainagro) and the Colombian Banana Growers' Association (Augura).
A Sintrainagro release said the agreement would benefit 18,000 workers from 288 farms in Uraba, as well as in the regions of Apartadó, Carepa, Chigorodó and Turbo in the department of Antioquia.
"The National Agriculture Workers Union, Sintrainagro, had already declared the zero hour to stop activities, but this morning it managed to ward off a strike," the union said in a release on Wednesday.
"Economic compensation of COP300,000 (US$155) was agreed upon for each worker, as well as improvements in social security aspects.
"It [the agreement] strengthens housing funds of COP75,000 (US$39) per planted hectare and establishes COP700 million (US$361,854) for an Education, Recreation and Culture Fund, among other benefits.
Sintrainagro had previously ratified the strike, which would have stopped the export of 243,000 boxes worth of bananas daily.
Related stories: Colombian banana workers ratify labor strike
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