Costa Rica: The Banana Workers' Syndicate "SITRAB" and whether its president and vice president attended a 24 December 2001 meeting at Finca Gigante in Siquirres to speak to workers about fraud involving "contribution interests"; whether SITRAB became involved in the situation at Finca Gigante and whether the situation was resolved (2001-2002)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 December 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CRI40559.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Costa Rica: The Banana Workers' Syndicate "SITRAB" and whether its president and vice president attended a 24 December 2001 meeting at Finca Gigante in Siquirres to speak to workers about fraud involving "contribution interests"; whether SITRAB became involved in the situation at Finca Gigante and whether the situation was resolved (2001-2002), 16 December 2002, CRI40559.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d8323.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information about the Banana Workers' Syndicate "SITRAB" could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, sources indicate the existence of a "trade union working with banana plantation workers" (Global Perspective n.d.) called the Syndicate of Agricultural Plantation Workers (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Plantaciones Agricolas, SITRAP) (ICTUR 25 June 2001).
According to Global Perspective:
SITRAP provides free legal services for plantation workers who need assistance with labour contracts, disputes, etc., and organises the workers (full-time and part-time workers) to stand up for their rights. The organisation also manages a pension scheme for the workers, and is involved in awareness-raising activities amongst the Costa Rican public and the plantation workers themselves on issues such as pesticide use, pollution, labour rights, etc. As part of its activities, SITRAP is constantly monitoring the activities of the multinational banana companies (n.d.).
A press release of 26 April 2001 stated that the SITRAP's General Secretary was Giberth Bermudez Umana, while Jorge Luis Barboza Jimenez was the Deputy General Secretary (Bananalink).
No information regarding a 24 December 2001 meeting at Finca Gigante in Siquirres could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Bananalink. 26 April 2001. "Plantation Workers Denounce New EU Banana Regime Proposal: 'No Turning Us Back Into a Banana Republic'." Global Perspective. n.d. "SITRAP, Siquirres." International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR). 25 June 2001. "Banana Workers Unions: Regional, Social, Meaningful." Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet sites:
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF)
La Nacion [San Jose]
Tico Times [San Jose]
U.S./Labor Education in the Americas Project (USLEAP)
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