These workers are already experiencing significant roll-backs due to the continuing crisis in the banana industry. But there will be no transition period for the thousands of banana workers in Latin America whose jobs will be wiped out overnight. Workers in the industry need a genuine transition period to ensure that there is a level playing field when the free market comes fully into effect in 2006. Current competition with Ecuador is not fair competition based on productivity, good business practices, or a better banana. Rather, it is based on the fact that Ecuadoran banana workers are paid poverty-level wages that are a fraction of those in neighboring countries and are denied benefits that many banana workers have been able to secure in other countries, including health care, housing and schooling for their children.
Environmental standards are also lower than in many other banana-exporting countries.
We know that Dole relies heavily on Ecuador, and we are not in any way suggesting that Dole or any other banana company should exit Ecuador. But it is quite another thing to support an EU plan that will greatly increase exports from Ecuador. This will destroy good jobs in other countries, while effectively rewarding Ecuador's major banana employers for the miserable conditions of their workers. We recognize that Dole has undertaken great efforts to position itself as an industry leader with respect to corporate responsibility. Thank you for your consideration of our views.