BELIZE
(IUF News Bulletin n. 3-4, 1996)
New Banana Union Challenges Solidarismo
Banana farmers in Belize, a country which relies heavily on banana exports, are resorting to repression and the promotion of yellow unionism to block the growth of the United Banner Banana Workers Union (UBBWU), an independent union founded last year. Since its formation, union officials have been subject to police harassment and detention. Recently, workers have been compelled to sign membership forms in a company solidarista association and have had "membership" fees of USD 10 deducted fortnightly from their wages.
According to UBBWU general secretary Marciana Funez, banana employers routinely violate legislation guaranteeing freedom of association and aspects of the Labour Act pertaining to pay, safety, housing and health. On behalf of the UBBWU, which has applied for affiliation to the IUF, the secretariat has protested violations of trade union rights to the government of Belize.
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