The extent to which global standards have emerged with regard to labor and environmental conditions in the banana industry has been limited to date, but progress is being made as groups and unions are lobbying for more structure. Conferences have also been held including the International Banana Conference, where propositions have been suggested and ideas have circulated with regard to the horrible working conditions and the lowly environmental impact of the banana industry and its plantations.

The growing problem of the environmental impact of banana production can be traced to the fruit being grown in the tropics as a mono-cultural product. This is unsuitable for the tropics in that the production requires large amounts of land, control of the amount of ground-water, a substantial labor force, high levels of fertilizers and pesticide application, shallow systems of canals and drainage ditches, and the de-leafing and maintenance of the banana plants. Since banana production requires all of these elements, there is an impact on the environmental health which includes:

• the change in soil use

• deforestation and displacement of communities

• loss of tropical flora

• contamination of soil, atmosphere, and water because of the high application of artificial fertilizers and high-grade toxins

• the loss of ground-water resources
• high volumes of solid vegetal waste

• negative agro-ecological effects

In 1900, over 85% of Costa Rica was rain forest, now only the country only consists of 26% of these tropical lands. Not only have the rain forest been destroyed by the banana industries, but they have also caused many problems in the environment. However, several laws have been passed in Costa Rica. One deals with the proper disposal of blue bags, which are used to protect bananas from insects and bad weather. These bags would kill fish, smother birds, and choke turtles. A law was also passed requiring that all banana plantations can be no closer than 33 feet from a water source. Projects have also been implemented to restore rain forests and decree national parks.

Many environmental groups have tried to take initiative to implement global standards. Some of these groups include the Rainforest Alliance, Fundacion Ambio, Tsuli Tsuli/Audobon, and the Friends of the Earth (FoE), and Foro Emaus. (See Environmental groups)

Many of the banana companies have committed their operations to environmental improvement, but environmentalists will not be satisfied until all issues are resolved. Chiquita has been a leader in the attempt to improve environmental conditions. Not only has the company joined with the Rainforest Alliance with regard to its banana certification program where all of its operations in Latin America were on schedule to be certified by 1999, but it has also worked with other groups. Chiquita is working with the Regional Wildlife Management Program of Costa Rica to sponsor studies that examine the effects of banana farms on bird life. They are also working with non-profit organizations by funding research dealing with environmental issues.

Global standards are beginning to emerge in the banana industry with regard to environmental conditions. The continued plight by environmental groups and their coordination with banana companies will only increase the improvement of the environment in the future.

The working conditions of the employees of the banana industry have been terrible in the past and efforts are being made, though slowly, to improve these conditions. Problems that are being addressed include:

• work days of 12 to 14 hours with no overtime pay
• low wages that don’t even cover cost of living
• limited medical attention and education
• exploitative managers and supervisors
• the use of agrochemicals that are hazardous to the health of workers
• firings with no social security payments
• the harassment of women workers (lower wages, constant contact with toxics that cause illness
• the replacement of elderly workers for younger workers in order to increase production
• demeaning working conditions for migrant workers as well as no access to housing, education, or health services.
• Corporate anti-union policies

With regard to the health of workers while on the job, the different fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and nematicides are very dangerous due to the toxicity of the chemicals. For example, in the 1980’s, over 8,000 Costa Rican workers were exposed to the pesticide dibromochloropropane (DBCP), which made them sterile for life.

Due to the harsh conditions of banana plantation workers, unions have been formed to attempt to improve the conditions of the workers. Banana Trade Unions are also making efforts to help workers. However, the road has been tough as large corporations are capital intensive and do not want to cut profits. The ILO has also made efforts at their conventions to stop the large banana corporations from exploiting their workers. The following core labor standards have been proposed by the ILO:

• Freedom of association and collective bargaining (ILO Conventions 87 and 98)
• Non-discrimination and equal remuneration (ILO Conventions 100 and 111)
• Freedom from forced and compulsory labor (ILO Conventions 29 and 105)
• Prohibition of exploitative child labor

In 1995, 116 countries in the Declaration of the World Summit in Copenhagen supported a commitment to safeguard the basic rights and interests of workers to this end, freely promote respect for relevant ILO conventions.

Although efforts are being made, the working conditions in the banana industries of Latin and Central America are still sub-par. Worker unions continually fight for improved working conditions however global standards have not emerged.

The major exporters of bananas to the United States and Europe are making efforts to improve environmental conditions through programs and research with interest groups throughout banana zones. Global standards