Health and Safety

Safety

Dole’s workers are required to wear protective clothing appropriate to their activities. Occupational safety professionals monitor safe handling of crop protection products and correct problems on site. Workers who use crop protection products undergo periodic medical exams to monitor potential exposure to these products.

Protective clothing for workers is the first precaution for safety when employees are dealing with crop protection products. In addition, Dole uses advanced satellite technology such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical lnformation Systems (GIS) for guidance while conducting aerial applications. Aerial applications of crop protection products are performed by specialized aviation companies to ensure highly accurate application and to prevent chemicals from settling on inhabited areas or other work sites. This system is also designed to prevent mishandling of the products. Workers are prohibited from entering the fields during or immediately after spraying. They are allowed in the field only after sufficient time has elapsed, as specified by the product manufacturer. When possible, aerial applications are carried-out at night. The aviation companies must follow Dole’s standards and undergo regular audits.

Training

Dole continually strives to build awareness among workers and recognizes that training is essential to this process. At Dole farms, all workers are required to receive training in good practices, environmental programs and employee safety and protection. Dole’s workers are systematically trained in the safe application of crop protection products. Continuous investment in training and education programs helps promote safe work habits with an emphasis on prevention.

Dole has implemented health and safety programs with a variety of programs that exceed legal requirements. These training programs are formalized by the Company’s industry-pioneering certified management systems.

Furthermore, employees in every country where we operate are given guidelines via Company publications (leaflets, magazines, posters, training handouts) and meetings detailing Dole’s responsibility programs, such as the Company’s environmental policy or the division’s social policy.

Freedom of Association

In accordance with ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organize, and Convention 98 on the right to organize and participate in collective bargaining, Dole employees are free to join labor unions and to participate in collective bargaining through representatives of their own choosing.

Dole cooperates with the workers’ representatives and respects each employee’s right to join such groups. Most countries where Dole operates have strong independent unions. As of 2006, Dole has Collective Bargaining Agreements signed with trade unions representing approximately 30,000 workers or employees worldwide.  Dole respects the various forms of labor affiliation and does not discriminate against workers who wish to join trade unions or any other form of association. The law in most of the countries where Dole operates, as well as Dole’s own policy, prohibits such discrimination.

Wages

Dole is committed to fair and equitable practices for its workers. In the countries where Dole operates, there are legally binding minimum wages and social benefits. Dole wages and social benefits meet or exceed these requirements. Dole has historically been recognized as an employer of choice due to its fair compensation packages, which often exceed governmental requirements.

Social Benefits

In all of Dole’s production areas, Dole employees receive at least the legally required benefits. Company-provided benefits frequently exceed the legal requirement. The list of social benefits covers illness/maternity, savings and loans, injury, insurance, training, social assistance, anywhere from one to four months’ extra annual pay, vacation, retirement, severance payment, and long-term disability.
These social benefits are paid to Dole employees in addition to the actual wage.

Some Dole operations provide rent-free housing for employees. Dole workers and their families also benefit from health, sports, social and educational activities sponsored by the Company.

Working Hours

The average work-week is 48 hours in the Latin American countries where Dole operates, with the exception of Ecuador, where it is 40 hours. Hours are generally spread evenly over a 6-day week, excluding Sunday. There is typically a legal maximum of 10-12 hours of work per day, depending on the country.

Since Dole operates in the agricultural sector, the working hours can vary during the year depending on production conditions. However, Dole employees do not work in excess of the accepted maximum contractual, legal, or negotiated working hours.

The banana industry generally provides work opportunities throughout the entire year and thus is fundamental to local economies as an important contributor to income distribution in the production regions.

Minimum Age

In accordance with ILO Convention 138 on minimum age and ILO Convention 182 on child labor, Dole prohibits child labor. In a substantial number of developing countries where we operate, our policy is even stricter and prohibits the hiring or employment of people younger than 18 years of age.

No Forced Labor

In accordance with ILO Convention 29 on forced labor and ILO Convention 105 on the abolition of forced labor, Dole does not engage in or condone forced labor in any way.

Non-Discrimination

In accordance with ILO Convention 100 on equal remuneration and ILO Convention 111 on discrimination (employment and occupation), Dole’s policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, age, religious belief or political affiliation. Company policies also prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace.