Costa Rica is arguably the most “developed” country in Central America. But at what cost has this “development” been attained? Is it really an accomplishment to be able to say, ¨We cater to the interests of gringos better than anyone else?¨ Or would it be more noble to passionately reject corporate/imperialist interests and the steady flow of prostitution, drugs and Disney characters that goes along with it?
On one hand, Costa Ricans are angry about their land being owned and exploited by corporate giants such as Chiquita, Del Monte and Dole. The recent vote over the imposition of a new free trade agreement between the USA and Costa Rica, the ‘TLC,” passed approval by a slim margin, dividing the country into two groups. Many citizens feel that this type of agreement will only accelerate the rate at which decision making power, regarding resources and international affairs, is swayed from the camp of Costa Rican citizens to that of business giants. I agree.
On the other hand, the population embraces international consumer products at a pace that surely rivals Western consumption of the same products. This fact was surprising for me to learn because I assumed that most people in Central America would be anti-West in general. I figured most citizens would rather not live under the thumb of another nation or international entity and therefore would never dream of supporting foreign brands such as Coke, McDonald’s and Lacoste. But I am wrong. Even the noble ex-president, Oscar Arias, proudly sports that famous little crocodile during live interviews.
As a microfinance loan officer, I have visited many clients in rural areas where the local industry is focused around the production of bananas, pineapples or coffee. More often than not, poor Costa Rican men and women are paid minimal wages in deplorable working conditions (with respect to international labour standards) to harvest fruits only to be shipped off to other countries, along with the profits from the sales of those fruits. In the pineapple fields, men work long hours in the sun where there is no shade to be found. Serious sun burns are common. A major complaint I have heard from the wives of banana labourers is that the spray which comes out of the airplanes, and the other chemicals the men are exposed to, has caused men to become sterile.
Harvesting jobs are highly sought after in rural communities all over Costa Rica and Central America. Laborers are respected for their hard work and sacrifice. But is a country where many people’s highest aspiration is to sell their labor in order to survive a really a hopeful picture of international development?
Is it enough to call for the compassion of major multinational companies, or is it time to take back the land and let the notion of a banana republic begin to rot?
Sebastian Kindsvater will be returning shortly to Costa Rica, where he is the Kiva Coordinator/Loan Officer for Fundación Mujer.
Latest posts by sebastiankindsvater
- Colombia: Not Canada - June 13th, 2011
- There and Back Again: The Tale of a Forty Dollar Border Run - December 22nd, 2010
- Rural Poverty in Costa Rica: A Local Farmer's Perspective - December 3rd, 2010
- Inevitable Roommate Drama - November 17th, 2010
- Do I Even Speak Spanish? - October 27th, 2010
- If You Travel to Costa Rica, Make Sure to See More Than San Jose - October 14th, 2010
- Warning to Women: Thicken Your Skin, Machismo Awaits in Costa Rica - September 27th, 2010
- Take Your Own Advice - September 9th, 2010
- Back to San Jose, Back to Excitement - August 24th, 2010
- If I Won the Lottery Tomorrow: Why Everyone Should Volunteer - July 28th, 2010
