Banana workers are some of the most exploited workers in the world, suffering from long hours, low pay, forced overtime, massive exposure to dangerous pesticides, and lack of job security. But bananas are the fourth most important staple crop in world food production, and are most grocery stores' single most profitable product.

In many countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama, workers have struggled to form unions and raise wages to as much as $11 a day. But in Ecuador temporary subcontracted laborers are not allowed to form unions and are earning an average of less than $2 a day. Workers around the world are experiencing significant roll-backs due to the continuing crisis in the banana industry.