LABOR CONDITIONS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ASSESSMENT AT AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ELOTA, SINALOA, MÉXICO

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is conceptualized as a standard that provides attention to problems of global impact, including the improvement of working conditions, the protection of workers’ rights, non-discrimination and the prohibition of child labor. These goals are also included in the objective Nu.8 of the 2030 Agenda, dedicated to decent working conditions and economic growth. The measurement of CSR from the point of view of agricultural workers as a focus group is scarcely addressed in the literature. Most commonly, the study is limited to the perceived image of corporate responsibility levels by end consumers. The objective of this study was to measure the perception of social responsibility actions implemented by local companies, emphasizing labor practices and human rights of the working population of the municipality of Elota, Sinaloa, Mexico; one of the most important agricultural spots in the country. A survey was conducted on 400 people and by means of a multivariate analysis of the information and the F-Snedecor test, it was possible to contrast the hypothesis of the acknowledgement the working population gives to the social responsibility actions of local companies. A high level of satisfaction and a positive social image of the practices carried out by the companies of the agricultural sector was found, compared to those of other sectors and productive activities. Agricultural laborers, who represent 58.7% of the surveyed population, consider that companies in the agricultural sector comply more efficiently with hiring and labor benefits established by law, compared to workers in other activities. In the area of human rights, the positive perception of agricultural laborers regarding actions related to non-discrimination and the fight against child labor stands out.