AgroAmerica Finalist in the 2017 Responsible Business Awards

GUATEMALA CITY, June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AgroAmerica, a sustainable agriculture corporation in Guatemala has been named a finalist for The Unilever Global Development Award: Recognising businesses that can demonstrate positive impact against one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

AgroAmerica's program Living wage: the limits of social responsibility brings good jobs to the rural areas of Guatemala. Wages are complemented with benefits that are greater than those required by the law and give employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for their families. In this way AgroAmerica contributes to poverty reduction and benefits local development. According to the UN, eradication of poverty is only possible through stable and well-paid jobs.

The Living Wage program benefits 11,000 employees and around 55,000 people (family members) in rural areas of Guatemala.

"Since AgroAmerica was founded, people have always been the core of this business," said Fernando Bolaños, CEO of AgroAmerica. "Employment and good working conditions are needed to promote inclusive and sustainable local growth. In order for the business to be sustainable in the rural areas where we operate, we must provide benefits to our employees first, then their families and communities."

The company has redefined their social investment to align with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.

5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities,and equal pay for work of equal value.

Fairness is a core philosophy for the company, which has more than 20 internal policies ensuring responsible business across a range of areas.

Shortlisted companies:
http://awards.bitc.org.uk/new-blog-stream-10/the-unilever-global-development-award-shortlist

Finalist companies:
http://awards.bitc.org.uk/

For more information on the Awards www.bitc.org.uk/awards/responsible-business-awards

About AgroAmerica
AgroAmerica is a sustainable and socially responsible agriculture business that grows and delivers tropical fruits and vegetable oils. The company operates with development-orientated policies to tackle poverty and issues of gender equality. AgroAmerica was the first Guatemalan company to conduct research into a living wage for their workers. The family-owned company has operations in Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, United States and Europe.

For more information visit https://agroamerica.com/en

For further information about AgroAmerica contact [email protected]

SOURCE AgroAmerica

Related Links

http://www.agroamerica.com