REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. DECLASSIHED Authority Stateletter Ihr ay me NARA Date 2498 o Labor Darest at the Limos Consular Distriot.
American Consulate at Port Limon, 008te Rica.
March 31, 1933. WAOES, Up to April 1, 1981, laborers had requivad an Average weg of 20 per day, but on that date the American truit exporting company which domina toe the district lowered wages to 00 per day. All other employers in the district immediately followed this lead for the wage cut was felt by all merchants trading with the laboring classes. On August 27, 1931, the fruit exporting company lonered wagos to 90 per day, and this second wage out affected all labor in the district.
At the present time practically all work is done by contract, or is paid by the piece and there is little of what may be termed day labor.
Laborers are hired to clear tho bush at so much per hectare, to out or haul bananes at so much per ston, etcetera.
The piece systom is so arranged thet a laborer, after a day of 411igent industry, may carn a maximum of three or four colones which, at the present rate of exchange (1. 00 equals 4, 75. ia 1988 than 90.
There may be found in the Appendix y a 11st or rates for piece work of all descriptions, paid by the dominant fruit exporting oonpany. Thiæ soale of wages may be taken as a standard for the 850 0 U. district.
As here tof ore mentioned there are many laborers in the district who are employed by the fruit exporting carapany for one or two days during the week and WHO