Banana workers defy company, police and military

Asia Pacific Currents

Bananas are one of the big agricultural export items of the Philippines. Rural regions of the Philippines have always seen some of the worst instances of semi feudal exploitation and human rights abuses.Almost a 1,000 workers at the giant banana plantation of the Sumifru corporation have been on strike since the start of October. They are demanding a collective agreement so as to get a pay rise and secure employment contracts.APC interviewed Paul John Dizon, the President of the local union NAMASUFA, about the strike and the dangers that they are facing from company thugs, the police and the army.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia