Peru's leading fresh produce exporter Camposol has responded to allegations made by the pressure group Banana Link in late July accusing it of laying off trade union members working at a grape farm in the north-western region of Piura before allegedly asking some to rejoin and sign a document renouncing their union membership.
In aletter sent to Banana Link and seen by Eurofruit, corporate affairs manager Francesca Carnesella reiterated the company's commitment to 'sustainable development and good human resources, social and environmental practices', arguing that it promoted 'union freedom based on dialogue and good labour relations'.
Camposol, which employs around 13,000 people at peak times, is Peru's third-largest employer and currently works with three active unions.
'The existence of unions… has never been discouraged by the company,' Carnesella stated.'In the case of Piura, it is not true that we have separated unionised personnel.'
According to Carnesella, the Peruvian government recently conducted an inspection of Camposol's Piura operations and confirmed that employees were free to join unions.
Banana Link had also drawn attention to a particular case reported by local media in late June in which six Camposol employees were apparently taken ill after inhaling an organophosphorus chemical applied to a plantation.
The group said reports indicated the employees in question were not informed that spraying had just taken place. 'The case underlines the need for a functioning joint health and safety committee to be in place, as new legislation requires,' it added.
Carnesella's response suggested the six had entered the farm by mistake 'without taking into consideration the restricted entry signalling', adding that Camposol remained committed to the highest occupational health and safety standards.
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