Throughout the 1970s, Dole Fruit Co. used chemicals such as DBCP and DDVCD on its banana fields in Nicaragua.  The use of these chemicals has caused ailments in over 16,000 former Dole workers.  Over 2,500 have already died from toxic exposure.*

Despite knowledge of the health risks of these chemicals,  which were banned in the U.S., Dole allowed Nicaraguan workers to be exposed. Dole concealed the danger while failing to provide protective clothing or proper safety training to banana workers.

Workers began to notice the detrimental health effects of the chemicals in the late 1970s…miscarriages, birth defects, skin ailments, sores that wouldn’t heal. And eventually, cancer of the pancreas and brain, blindness, kidney and liver problems, and sterility among both men and women. Pesticides were even detected in the breast milk of nursing mothers.

The Nicaraguan workers have struggled for 19 years to receive compensation. They have yet to receive anything. Those affected do not seek riches – they only request justice.  While they have won lawsuits both in Nicaraguan and in US courts, they have yet to receive any sort of payment because of corruption on both sides.  The lawyers and judges should be punished – not the ill and injured victims of Dole’s irresponsible business practices!

Many former workers have moved to the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, and live in temporary tent-like homes in hope of raising awareness of their struggle. Their live-in protest and our demonstrations of solidarity are not meant to be attacks on Dole – but instead pleas for the company to embrace their social responsibility and deliver just compensation to innocent former employees.   

Sign today to urge the CEO of Dole, Mr. DeLorenzo to take these peoples' story to heart and provide them with the medical coverage they need and very rightfully deserve.

*This information is from a presentation by former Dole employees. The presentation was given in Managua, Nicaragua in January of 2011.