Chile
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.
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.
Oxfam's other work in Chile
- Helping poor people have a say in decisions that affect them on a national level
