Although a minimum wage exists in all producer countries, this is often insufficient to meet basic needs. Hours Long working hours, often a 12-13 hour day, are designed to maximise profit. Although a standard official working day is not necessarily longer than in Europe, overtime is mostly compulsory. There are regular reports of workers being fired if unable to work overtime, for instance because of illness or family commitments. Serious Health Hazards Women stand 11-12 hours a day or more, their hands constantly in tanks full of chemicals used to clean the bananas and preserve them on their long journey.
Workers receive little education about their rights or basic health and safety.
For example, pesticides are often applied by hand directly on the plants or from backpack sprayers carried by workers. Although most countries require use of protective clothing by law, the companies often do very little to implement this. Where protective clothing is provided, it is often inadequate and highly uncomfortable to wear in the oppressive tropical heat. Risk of cancer, sterilisation or other serious diseases from pesticide poisoning, as well as workplace accidents, are often present. Effects of pesticides Studies conducted by the National University of Heredia in Costa Rica reveal that rates of pesticide poisonings are three times higher in the banana regions than in the rest of the country.