Mauro Romero worked until 2002 for Álvaro Noboa, the wealthiest man in Ecuador, who was famous for loudly professing his love for the working class. But when the workers he claimed to love so much grew tired of being brutally exploited by him and decided to form a trade union, Noboa ordered his thugs -the true objects of his affection- into action. We recently met up again with Mauro at the Guayaquil bus terminal and spoke with him about his involvement in that union struggle years ago and what his life has been like since.

In May 2002, the 1,200 workers employed by the “Los Álamos” banana plantation (owned by Álvaro Noboa) went on strike. What were their demands? They wanted to earn more than the three dollars that most of them were paid, in the best of cases. They also wanted to be paid for the hours of overtime they did, they wanted to be registered with the social security authorities, and they wanted to access drinking water. In sum, they were demanding that Corporación Noboa comply with Ecuadorian laws. No more and no less than that.

They didn't have to wait long for the owner of “Bonita Bananas” to respond to their demands: a group of hooded men stormed into the plantation shooting their guns at everyone there. One of the thugs employed by the “Banana King” came down on Mauro, stole his watch, and screamed at him: “Move it, you son of a bitch!” And then he shot him in the leg.

Some weeks later, we interviewed Mauro outside Guayaquil, along with Luis Alejandro Pedraza, of the National Agro-Food Union of Colombia (UNAC). We found him thin and haggard. He was only 32 years old when his leg was amputated. “What am I going to do now? Where am I going to find work like this?”, he asked.

Four years later, his testimony was included in an ad that was part of Rafael Correa's campaign for the 2006 runoff elections, and it would prove decisive in Correa's winning the election. The ad featured Mauro showing his stump and giving his testimony:

“My name is Mauro Romero. I worked at Álvaro Noboa's ‘Los Álamos’ plantation. We were working under very hash conditions - there was no water and the food was deplorable. We were asking for better wages, because we were paid a very low salary. He ordered his men to clear us out. They came in armed, with hoods covering their faces. One of them shot me in the leg. That's how I got this way. That's the reason they had to cut it off.

I ask you, Álvaro Noboa, since it was you who left me with only one leg and since you're giving away so many wheelchairs now, when are you going to give me mine ?”, Mauro finished off saying.

-How are you doing now?

-I'm doing a little better. I'm still getting used to the crutches, though, and the artificial leg cuts into my skin. And when I work long hours, my leg gets really tired.

-You're working at a bank, right?

-Yes, and I owe it to the government. But I'd like to ask you to help me obtain a permanent contract. As it is now, they renew my work contract every six months.

-And how long have you been working there?

-For three years. The President promised me he would help me, so I'm asking the national government of Rafael Correa to do everything in it's power to solve my current situation.

-Your testimony in the campaign was instrumental in Correa's being elected…

-I gave my life for this government. My case had an enormous repercussion worldwide and I know it went a long way towards Rafael Correa's triumph.

-Did you suffer any backlash from Álvaro Noboa?

-I had to go away for a few months, because there were tinted glass cars cruising my neighborhood, driving past my house slowly. Cars that were not from around there.

-Are you still in touch with the banana workers and their struggle?

-I certainly am! I regularly go by FENACLE headquarters and speak to Ángel (Rivero, president of the Federation), to find out how thing are going.

-Do you regret your involvement in union struggles?

-No. The struggle for workers' rights is a just struggle. Right now, many companies do whatever they please with their workers.

The Correa government is trying to put a stop to this, but you still see a lot of situations in which workers are exploited. For example, where I live there are many banana workers, and you see enormous poverty. People are going hungry and suffering all sorts of hardships. Wages are low and work is excessive.

-I have to tell you that it's a great pleasure for me to see you again.

-I feel the same way. My wife was upset when I told her I was coming to Guayaquil. “You're going off to see another woman,” she said. And I told her I didn't care if she didn't believe me. I was still going to come see you. And here I am.

-I hope I didn't get you in any trouble!

-No, don't worry about it. All I have to do is bring back your card with me and she'll believe me (laughter).

-Do you know Rafael Correa personally?

-No, but I'd like him to give me a call some day. If you see him, please give him my cell number…