Bleeding bananas: Over 28,000 people call on Chiquita to end exploitation on supplier plantations

28,241 people joined a virtual protest organized by Public Eye to denounce labor rights violations at Chiquita’s suppliers in Guatemala. Faced with the multinational’s silence and inaction, the mobilization continued today outside Chiquita’s headquarters in Etoy, in Switzerland’s Vaud canton, where representatives of Public Eye and activists handed over the petition signatures to the company's sustainability director. Against a backdrop of blood-stained bananas, our message was simple: “Chiquita Basta!” 

Last April, Public Eye revealed the appalling conditions endured by workers on banana plantations run by the multinational’s suppliers in Guatemala. Thousands of pickers are forced to work shifts of up to 12 hours a day, in sweltering heat, for salaries often below the statutory minimum wage. To meet productivity targets, many agricultural workers rely on what’s known as the “bomba”: a homemade mix of the opioid Tramadol and energy drinks. Workers are also exposed to aerial pesticide spraying without protection. Criticism of abusive working conditions and attempts to organize in a trade union have led workers to be dismissed and blacklisted. 

Almost all of Chiquita’s production is certified by Rainforest Alliance. After being alerted by Public Eye, the label – known for its green frog insignia on consumer goods – carried out an audit at one of the plantations concerned, largely confirming the abuses reported. The plantation’s certification was even suspended. But Chiquita never even answered our questions, leave alone taking any measures to remedy the abuses we documented. 

This ignorance is all the more scandalous because Chiquita has committed to respecting trade union rights by signing an agreement with the Latin American Banana Workers’ Unions (COLSIBA) and IUF, an international trade union. The agreement also applies to the group’s suppliers. Going forward, Chiquita must use its commercial leverage to guarantee dignified and safe working conditions on plantations. 

The cases documented by Public Eye are part of Chiquita’s long tradition of exploitation and labor rights violations. Rather than granting tax benefits to companies with such a track record, Switzerland should finally adopt effective legislation to prevent and sanction such human rights abuses. 

For more information, please contact: 

Oliver Classen, Spokesman, +41 44 277, geraldine.viret@publiceye.ch  

Robert Bachmann, Commodities expert, +41 44 277 79 22, robert.bachmann@publiceye.ch