The labor conditions of banana workers have changed little since this industry started in Ecuador. Precarious job stability, human and labor rights violations, exposure to agrochemicals and pesticides, and low wages are the main issue surrounding the base work in banana plantations. This product is one of the most prized commodities in countries of the global north, as well as being one of Ecuador’s most profitable export industries. However, workers continue to be underpaid, exploited and conditioned to a low standard of living.
This assignment was carried out in January 2020 in the city of Machala, El Oro province, and its outskirts. Together with journalist Romano Paganini, we investigated this issue for the Swiss NGO Public Eye, the resulting research was published on their website (in German language) with a Spanish translation on the digital platform mutantia.ch along with a photo essay. A follow-up article on the case of one of the workers interviewed who died from COVID-19 in July. As part of the latter, a short video of the interview he gave us was produced: