| Dole and US Courts Dump on Banana Farmers...Again |
|
|
|
| Written by Erika Fredrickson | |
| Wednesday, 12 March 2008 | |
|
Once again, the actions of the Dole Food Company prove that if you're a big corporation working overseas, you can screw over whomever you want. Despite a long history of knowingly exposing Nicaraguan banana workers to a poisonous, often debilitating pesticide called Nemagon, Dole has been virtually let off the hook by an LA court. The original and puny $5 million has been reduced to $2.5 million for the 12 workers who were sterilized by the active ingredient in Nemagon called dibromo-chloro-propoane (DBCP). It has affected about 20,500 men, women and children giving them moderate to severe physiological and psychological health complications. Dole's history with Nemagon has been a sordid one. There were unpublished findings of the pesticide's effects back in 1958 covered up by Dow Chemical and Shell Oil. After cases of sterility showed up in California, the active ingredient was banned in 1979 in the U.S. But not elsewhere. Protests ensued, marches against the company continued. A case in Nicaragua found Dole guilty (Nicaraguan Law 364) but Dole said that it wasn't a legitimate court, and said the trial would have to move to the US. A few of us from Envirovore were in Nicaragua last year and asked the US Embassy in Managua about the case. The representative we spoke to said that the “most tragic part” of the Dole case is that Dole withdrew from Nicaragua and took jobs with them. Oh really? That's the most tragic part? And here we thought the tragedy was sterility, neurological effects and devastation to workers' lives. Thanks for setting us straight, Embassy!
She also stated that “Nicaragua has questions” and we, the U.S. “have the answers.” Talk about extreme arrogance. The newest case in LA is just a drop in the bucket for what these effected workers have to deal with. Even if the courts made a fair decision on this particular case -- Dole claims some of the workers show no signs of illness -- it's all part of a larger context of injustice for these workers. Dole's knit-picking of who may or may not be sick is grossly disingenuous when you consider the number of people who have been severely effected without having any choice in the matter. Nemagon is a virulent soil fumigant and pesticide used to kill burrowing rootworms - nematodes - which damage and cause discoloration in bananas. Meanwhile, we get to enjoy those nicely contaminated bananas. Sources: FreshPlaza.org and Newsday.com
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 2767 Comments (4)
  written by Aquene Freechild, March 14, 2008
Can someone please post details about which case this refers to? There was a great jury ruling in LA court not too long ago for 6 Nicaraguans whose lawyer is Duane Miller that got 3.2 million in compensation. http://www.thetruthaboutdow.org/article.php?id=425 I am guessing this is a different case altogether. Please fill us in on the details. Aquene
written by Erika, March 15, 2008
This is, I believe, the same case. In November 2007, the 6 Nicaraguans were awarded 3.2 mill for compensation and another 2.5 mill for punitive damages. Just this month, papers report that an LA judge threw out the 2.5 mill -- a win for Dole. Most newspapers are now saying 5 out of the 6 Nicaraguans (one was deemed uninjured) will now split 1.58 million, which in comparison to what they were going to get, is not a win. What I can't figure out from the newspapers is if they did actually get the 3.2 mill for compensation or if that, too, was thrown out or reduced. My sources are the LA Times and USA Today. I can't post the links here because they're too long and screw with the web site. But if you google Dole and Los Angeles Times you'll find the story. If someone else can figure out the numbers, I'll be impressed.
 written by ugg boots sale, February 05, 2010
Dear Admin,thank you for this informative article
Write comment
|
| < Prev |
|---|
It's true what our moms said...we are what we eat. In fact, it's truer than they thought. What I eat doesn't just affect me anymore, it affects all of us.
Unfortunately, the story of food can sometimes be complicated. But envirovores help each other out...which is why this blog will be bringing you news, tips, and information about food and the environment every step of the way.
.jpg)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
