The CCC partners widely with similar organizations in the United States and outside of Europe, such as SweatFree Communities and the International Labor Rights Forum.

In the midst of so many other serious international issues taking prime space on television screens and in newspapers, it is encouraging to see attention being given to human rights issues that affect millions of lives in many countries around the world.

This noteworthy recognition of Marieke’s work heralds the changes in global consciousness that we can hope 2011 will yield.

One of the main pineapple suppliers in Costa Rica that emerged during the seventies is PINDECO (Pineapple Development Corporation), a subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte. Located on some 37,000 acres of land in the southern Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica, PINDECO is responsible for the introduction of the Smooth Cayenne variety, which accounts for at least 50% of the country's pineapple.

Unbelievably, Humayin Kabir, a production manager, denied the workers’ assertions that the exits were locked, explaining, “Maybe the workers could not find their way to the emergency exits as they have claimed that the tenth and eleventh floors were already dark with smoke.”

About 5,000 people work at the Ha-Meem Group factory producing garments for big name brands such as Gap, Abercrombie, JC Penney, and Phillips-Van Heusen (owns Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Arrow, Izod, and Bass).

ILA Local 1291 reached out to the International Dockworkers Council, the West Coast Longshore Workers, and the International Transport Workers Federation, using their support to help demand that Del Monte continue to use the union workers.  This is essential because if Del Monte is allowed to turn to cheaper labor with no benefits now, nothing will stop them from doing it at other Locals.  “This is just the first step,” Butler said.  “If Del Monte succeeds here, it sends a ripple effect to other banana shippers, on the West coast and around the world.”