You’ve probably seen the Dole logo on a banana or a pineapple in your supermarket. In 2013, Dolefil received Rainforest Alliance (RFA) certification for its »sustainable practices and nature conservation initiatives«. It was commended for the healthy working conditions of its employees. However, there is a dark side to Dole’s sunny logo, according to reports from various Philippine agricultural trade unions with which Viva Salud’s partners regularly collaborate.
About Dolefil
Dolefil is the Philippine division of the American multinational Dole Food Company. In 2013, it was acquired by the Japanese company Itochu Corporation. 95 % of the output from their plantation located in the the Philippine municipality of Polomok is exported to markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Unhealthy working conditions
Next to the the right to a healthy working environment, other rights of Dolefil employees are also being violated. On 17 September 2020, 478 people working for Dolefil were summarily dismissed without cause. Some had been working for the company for over 10 years. Since their unfair dismissal, several former staff members have been suffering from serious mental health problems.
Furthermore, the management pushes the workers to take risks, which causes numerous accidents. According to a Dolefil employee, the company only takes action when it is too late. To protect the company’s image, management threatens staff members or pays them to to keep quiet on accidents that occur.
Summary dismissals
Next to the the right to a healthy working environment, other rights of Dolefil employees are also being violated. On 17 September 2020, 478 people working for Dolefil were summarily dismissed without cause. Some had been working for the company for over 10 years. Since their unfair dismissal, several former staff members have been suffering from serious mental health problems.
The importance of national and international legislation
The abuses committed at Dolefil demonstrate the importance of international legislation and regulations which force multinational companies to respect rights humans and the environment throughout the production chain.
A due diligence law would oblige companies such as Dolefil to respect their employees’ rights and hold them accountable for any breaches of those rights. They would be required to pay compensation to their employees. Find out more about the campaign for a due diligence law at www.devoirdevigilance.be.
Deadly pesticides banned in Europe are exported to low-income countries, where they destroy the health of farmers and the environment. Let's get together to call on Belgium to ban this toxic and immoral trade by signing and sharing our petition on stop-pesticides.be !
Find out more :
Pesticides: banned here, exported there. Deadly everywhere.
Deadly pesticides banned in Europe are exported to low-income countries, where they destroy the health of farmers and the environment. Ironically, these same pesticides end up on our plates in the food we import.
