<p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/delmontebananastrikebody061713.jpg" alt="Images 061813" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Costa Rican banana workers have reached their eighth day of protesting against Del Monte, which, along with four other companies, controls the worldwide banana market, according to CiudadCCS.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The National Workers Union called for various unions across the country to join the strike against Banana Development Company (Bandeco), a Del Monte subsidiary, and protest in front of the Ministry of Labor.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The conflict began in 2011 when Bandeco obtained legal authorization to lay off 59 workers for participating in a strike for better wages and conditions.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The strike forced the company to negotiate a collective agreement that resulted in the implementation of more extensive workers’ rights in banana plantations, including a commitment from employers to not retaliate against workers who exercise their right to strike.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The recently executed decision has aggravated tensions between the company and its 650 employees.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates on the strike.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.ciudadccs.info/?p=435165" target="_new">Del Monte Report</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
