Cooperative of savings, credits and welfare
With the cooperative "My People" we promote the welfare and improvement of living conditions of the staff members and their families.
Among the benefits there is the ease of acquiring low-cost financing for housing, land, cars, household appliances, etc. Members also have a savings program and posthumous relief.
SOCIAL
Programs dedicated to employees
Cooperative of savings, credits and welfare
The most important thing for FRUTERA is the welfare of its employees. That is why it counts with social-oriented projects with the support of the Cooperative of savings, credits and welfare.
This is a support program for our employees, offering low-interest loans, and low-cost groceries, phone cards, bicycles, and household appliances. It also provides financial help to offset funeral and burial costs. In the future, we plan to develop housing projects, as well as cultural and religious projects.
Seventy percent of the employees (over 2,450 employees) are members of our cooperative, the Cooperative of savings, credits and welfare. Up to this point in time, we have provided them with the following benefits:
- Low-interest loans totaling more than Q403,000.00
- Savings accounts of the associated employees total more than Q680,000.00
- Over Q70,000.00 of interest income earned by associated employees
Currently, there are five cooperative associations functioning on the farms composed of employees from all levels. These cooperatives are also managed by their own members who may hold positions on the board of directors.
With the Cooperative of Savings, we have achieved our goals of providing a good standard of living for our employees and a mutually respectful working environment.
Training
FRUTERA pays special attention to its human resources. We invest in the development of continuing education programs at all levels, from the employees who nurture the banana plants, up to the managers of each farm. Our main objective is to create a harmonious working environment for all of our employees.
These education programs address topics such as alcoholism, managing family finances, nutrition, diabetes prevention and management, and literacy.
SOCIAL
Programs dedicated to the community
Happy Families
FRUTERA recognizes the importance of family and with its Happy Families program, the company strives to improve their health and well-being by promoting nutrition and improving the standard of living of the families in the community.
This is an innovative program that focuses on improving the health, nutrition, and education of the employees and their families. The objectives of the program are the reduction of malnutrition and child mortality, the improvement of the children’s performance in school, and the increase in productivity and development of the local communities.
The complete program includes:
- Education in basic nutrition and related topics for mothers and their children.
- Support for teachers to help them improve their teaching methodologies
- Self-sufficiency training so that communities can learn to manage their own development and petition the local governments to meet their needs.
- Support for the local government officials.
Enlace
FRUTERA knows that the education of its employees and their families can create positive changes in the surrounding communities and, in turn, promote the development of the country. In order to accomplish this goal, the company sponsors a program developed and implemented by ENLACE (En La Comunidad Encuentro) that teaches Family Orientation to the principals of the local public schools, the teachers at the local public schools, and some government officials in the villages located near FRUTERA. This program promotes themes that deal with family and community values and principles.
ENLACE is a program that targets the influential members of the community, those who lead exemplary lives and are in positions to teach others how to incorporate values and principles into their daily lives and work. It teaches those leaders how to create positive changes in everyone they come in contact with.
Some of the topics covered in this program teach positive values and principles as they apply to:
- The individual and family dynamics
- Character building
- The workplace
- An individual’s rights vs. the common good
Education
By subsidizing the teacher salaries and donating desks and school supplies, FRUTERA shows its commitment to developing the educational system in the surrounding communities, especially those in the poorest areas.
Mobile Medical Clinics
Maintaining good health in the community is vital for their development. This is why, together with the Ministry of Health and other private entities, mobile medical clinics travel periodically throughout the communities surrounding the plantations. They provide general medical screenings for disease as well as eye exams. Those who are found to need eyeglasses are provided with them. In addition, free prescription medicines and vitamins are provided.
Sports and Culture
FRUTERA supports sports, recreational, civic, and cultural activities throughout the year. Some of these activities include trips to local cultural sites and soccer championships, among others.
Environment
FRUTERA, as an agricultural company, is characterized by preventing pollution and improve environmental performance, making the plantation of banana an environmental-friendly practice that strives to maintain the highest industry standards and has received global certification from the following organizations:
Certifications
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GLOBAL GAP CERTIFIED - This certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate standards of good agricultural practices which contribute to product quality, health care for employees, and environmental protection.
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RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFIED - Its role is to certify that “goods and services were produced in compliance with strict guidelines protecting the environment, wildlife, workers, and local communities.” This certification verifies that products have been grown using environmentally responsible practices such as soil and water conservation, fair labor practices are utilized, and there are good community relations.