Women Pesticide Sprayers in Malaysia Intoxicated

By Manuel Bengoéchéa

Through their exposure to highly toxic pesticides, the women sprayers on palm oil estates in Malaysia are experiencing serious health problems.

They are also bullied constantly and there is a ban on joining a trade union. A study of their problems, called "Poisoned and Silenced" gathers testimonies and blood test results from these women workers. It has been done by Tenaganita, a Malaysian Association fighting for respect of workers' rights, together with the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the pacific (PAN AP), an activists' group working for healthy, sustainable agriculture and better treatment of women agricultural workers through provision of training and information. Gramoxone® is one of the main sprays used. It is subject to bans and strictly limited use in 7 European countries and four developing ones.

Health ands safety committees exist in name only on many of the plantations in Malaysia, where bananas, cotton, palm oil, pineapple are growing industries. If workers try to use protective equipment they are harassed by supervisors, who claim it reduces productivity.

(Trade Union World; no. 7-8, July-August 2002)