Oxfam GB :: Where we work

What we do: Campaign for change; Emergency response; Development work; Why we do it

Issues we work on: Climate change; Conflict and natural disasters; Health; Education; Debt and aid; Gender equality; The right to be heard; Global Food Crisis; Trade; Private sector

Where we work: Countries we work in

The impact of our work: In words and pictures; On video

Special features: History of Oxfam; Oxfam myths exposed; Take the Oxfam Quiz; Reshaping our world

Chile

Collecting seaweed in Caleta Tumbes. Photo: Toby Adamson

In Chile, Oxfam's focus in on helping the poorest people to have a say in how the country is run and campaigning for fairer trade rules and better labour rights.

Intro

Fighting for labour rights

Chile's fruit export industry is worth millions of dollars. Yet the women who are employed seasonally to work in the fields and pack plants have to suffer low pay, long working hours, and the threat of dismissal if they complain.

Since their employment is unstable, seasonal fruit pickers and packers often work without social security benefits. Despite the huge profits made by the multinational companies marketing their goods, the workers often struggle merely to survive.

How Oxfam is helping

We help organise and train female workers in labour rights. We also work with them to lobby for improvements in their workplaces and with social security.

Before, I had no idea about the rights of temporary women workers. Now I am in a position not only to claim against the company I work for, but also to tell others about their rights.

Ana Olmedo Aliste, Rosario

Our global campaign to Make Trade Fair lobbies multinational companies and organisations to improve conditions for seasonal workers, and to act responsibly within the communities where they operate.