Between the domination of transnational companies and its discourse on business and human rights : contract farming and banana small farmers in the Davao Region (The Philippines)
Issued Date
2024
Copyright Date
2019
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
No. of Pages/File Size
xi, 146 leaves : ill.
Access Rights
open access
Rights
ผลงานนี้เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ขอสงวนไว้สำหรับเพื่อการศึกษาเท่านั้น ต้องอ้างอิงแหล่งที่มา ห้ามดัดแปลงเนื้อหา และห้ามนำไปใช้เพื่อการค้า
Rights Holder(s)
Mahidol University
Bibliographic Citation
Thesis (M.A. (Human Rights and Democratisation))--Mahidol University, 2019
Suggested Citation
Hasanah, Mahesti, 1990- Between the domination of transnational companies and its discourse on business and human rights : contract farming and banana small farmers in the Davao Region (The Philippines). Thesis (M.A. (Human Rights and Democratisation))--Mahidol University, 2019. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/92165
Title
Between the domination of transnational companies and its discourse on business and human rights : contract farming and banana small farmers in the Davao Region (The Philippines)
Author(s)
Advisor(s)
Abstract
This research examined violations towards small farmers' rights over the banana plantation--with the emphasis that the farmers held their agreement with transnational agribusiness corporations in Santo Tomas and Compostela Valley, Davao Region, Mindanao, the Philippines. By focusing on the right to work and the right to enjoyment of safe and healthy work conditions, the study was intended to enrich the existing literature reviews on contract farming. The scholars in this field have explored this issue through many different approaches; however, perspective highlighting the farmers' rights is still infrequently investigated. By using a case study method, the research focused on the implementation process of CF and its impact in the production cycle of small growers. The study conducted interviews and focus group discussions with (8) small farmers, (2) academics, (2) NGOs, and (1) journalist and analyzed government document policies, and had direct observation of several key events in the field. The research revealed that the companies governing the small farmers or growers as well as workers, it affect their social, economic, and political aspects. Trans- National Companies (TNCs) are controlling the market and the production chain through their subsidiaries or affiliation companies by rejecting the UN Guiding Principles, obligating them to respect the rights regardless of their size, sector, operational context, ownership, and structure. However, since the UN Guiding Principles can be sorted as a soft law, the companies do not have an obligation to follow it. Instead, the companies are considered violating the right to work and right to the enjoyment of just and safe working conditions of the small farmers and workers. The violations included unfair contract signing, low payment on rented land, minimum wage, and unhealthy working conditions. However, as contract farming is no single phenomenon, it was observed that the small farmers and workers had three strategies in gaining their rights over these domineering companies. They fought using formal and non-formal ways to demand from the companies to respect and fulfill their rights. This research should be able to strengthen Vellema's argument that companies are controlling the small farmers and workers under the contract farming' system through social, economic, and political aspects.
Description
Human Rights and Democratisation (Mahidol University 2019)
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Level
Master's degree
Degree Department
Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies
Degree Discipline
Human Rights and Democratisation
Degree Grantor(s)
Mahidol University