REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Inhz by ME, NARA 0312 2498 (ANQ Labor Wrest in the Limon Consular Distriot.
American Consulate at Port Limon, Costa Rica.
March 31, 1933. CHARACTER OF LABOR.
ben large scale production or bananas and cacao was initiated in the lowlying Limon consular district, it was found desireble to encourage the immigrtion of British West Indian nokrogs, mostly from the island of Jamaica, to cope with the hot, humid, tevor infected areas which were to be cleared or denso tropical vegetation preparatory to cultivation and exploitation of the land.
It developed that the negro enjoyed a greater degree or immunity to tropical diseases and was more adaptable to the type of labor necessary for the profitable production of bananas and cacac than Was the native Costa Rican.
At the present time approximately 75 to 80 of the district total population 18 composed of British west Indians.
Costa Ricans and a anall percentage of Nicaraguans make up the balance of population with respect to the laboring classes.
Although low wages are prevalent, living is cheap, there is little or no surfering from weathor extremes and sustenance surficient to sustain life may, 11terally, be picked up off the ground.
with their simple wants easily satisfied, the laborers in the district are contented and cheerful even in adversity, with 11 ti Or no desire for strikes or agitators to disturb the even