In light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the WBF and its members are diligently working to implement the highest levels of health and safety standards on banana plantations in efforts to ensure the well-being of all workers in the industry. 

The WBF has thus produced a series of occupational health and safety (OHS) videos for banana farms and plantations, developed in collaboration with the Ecuadorian Ministries of Labour and Agriculture, for which the focus is two-fold: they demonstrate how workers can keep themselves safe, both en route and at the workplace, while ensuring employers guarantee OHS under the COVID-19 crisis.

The recommendations presented are applicable for all banana plantations globally, though consideration should be given to particular country-level policies and protocols established in response to the COVID-19 health emergency.

Guidance for workers

The following video assesses the COVID-19 outbreak, its characteristics and its dangers. It demonstrates the prevention and control, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygienic measures to be implemented by workers in order to protect themselves and the workplace from the coronavirus. 

Guidance for workers (extended version)

Guidance for employers

This video recaps the health risks of COVID-19. It is a practical guide for employers related to the consequent health and safety measures to be implemented for the protection of workers on banana plantations. A special focus is placed on social and self-protection tools to be used and behaviours to be applied on site.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

For more information, please see FAO’s COVID-19 portal: Novel coronavirus with policy briefs, publications, multimedia, stories, social media cards and in the media resources.

Except where otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.