The saying “what is sown is grown” also reaches employment figures. Paradoxically and especially the countryside. Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing is the area of activity that ranks first among sectors with highest rates of inadequate employment. The employment report of December 2015, of the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), states that this sector represents the 38.79%, followed by trade (20.81%).
Why is there inadequate employment in the agriculture sector? Banana businessman Francisco Minuche told daily Expreso there are several reasons. But taking as an example the banana crops, _ the major exported fruit of Ecuador, (2.566 million dollars until November), 2015 was not a good year. “And in 2016 the lack of money is going to be felt more serverly and less farmers will be hired,” he said.
People of this segment are those with a job that does not meet the minimum conditions of hours or income, and that during the reference week earn less than the minimum wage.
Minuche puts down the official price per box (which was not met at a 100%) to what happens in his sector´s employment. Producing a banana box costs between $ 5.10 and $ 5.20 and these were bought at $ 4.80, he said. Due to losses, farmers could only be hired for a few days and for specific activities, he said.