Wage labor in pineapple monoculture in the north region of Costa Rica

Abstract

Introduction

Costa Rica is positioned as the main pineapple exporter in the world; however this monoculture has generated several socio-environmental consequences. Among the social effects, the labor exploitation of people in irregular migratory conditions stands out in the pineapple plantations in the north region of the country.

Objective

The text seeks to present some findings about the world of wage labor in pineapple monoculture in the communities of Medio Queso and Santa Fe de Los Chiles.

Method

These results arise from a research process in the framework of a social action project in the University of Costa Rica, dedicated to organizational support in communities that face socio-environmental conflicts. The project was developed with a participatory methodology and in addition to this, in-depth interviews and participant observations were conducted.

Results

The text presents a description of the pineapple expansion in the communities, as well as the union and community organization present in these territories. Moreover, some elements are provided in order to characterize the moment of creation of labor value in the production stage and the contractual mechanisms present in the pineapple companies studied. In addition to this, the processes of displacement of migrant workers and the forms of reproduction of the labor force are identified.