Dole expands agricultural worker support in Costa Rica by deepening its commitment to workplace-based services, announcing new public-private agreements that extend access to vital healthcare, financial, and social programs for thousands of rural farm workers. The initiative, anchored in Dole’s Information and Wellbeing Centers (IWCs), is emerging as a replicable model for inclusive development across the region.
New Partnerships with CCSS and Banco Popular Broaden Reach of Workplace Services
At a forum titled “Information and Wellbeing Centers: Public-Private Partnerships that Improve Lives,” Dole signed memorandums of understanding with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and Banco Popular. These collaborations represent a strategic milestone in Dole’s mission to provide agricultural workers with equitable, on-site access to essential services.
Launched in 2020, the IWC model addresses long-standing barriers to healthcare, financial tools, education, and social services faced by rural workers. By embedding services directly into the workplace, Dole eliminates challenges such as travel distance, cost, and time off work—barriers that disproportionately affect agricultural laborers.
The new agreements further enable the expansion of agricultural worker support, reinforcing Dole’s position as a leader in corporate social responsibility within the agrifood sector.
Key Institutions Drive Inclusive Access
CCSS, Costa Rica’s universal healthcare and social insurance provider, will expand its involvement in the IWC network to deliver more integrated medical and social protection on-site.
Banco Popular, a socially focused, state-owned bank, will increase its outreach to farm workers by providing financial education and services directly through Dole’s workplace centers.
To date, the IWC program has impacted over 14,900 individuals, with direct services provided at four Dole pineapple farms—Santa Fe, El Bosque, La Virgen, and Muelle—through a collaboration involving 38 cross-sector partners.
Recognition And Results
In 2022, the IWC program was awarded the Grand Prize for Social Responsibility in Action by the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), highlighting its measurable social impact and innovative structure.
During the forum, Aliarse Foundation presented a detailed case study on the IWC model, followed by a panel discussion featuring business leaders, public institutions, and national government representatives. The conversation emphasized the potential to scale such efforts both regionally and internationally.
Conclusion
As Dole expands agricultural worker support through these partnerships, the company reaffirms its commitment to inclusive, sustainable development. The success of the IWC model demonstrates that when the public and private sectors collaborate with purpose, rural communities gain real access to the services they deserve. This marks a clear path forward: a workplace can be more than a site of production—it can be a hub for human wellbeing.
