SUSTAINABILITY
Social
We contribute to SDGs 4 Quality education; 8 Decent work and economic growth;
and 11 Sustainable cities and communities
Human rights are the foundation of our social impact programs, our relationship with communities, and the working conditions we offer to our collaborators.
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At Grupo Esfuerzo, we increased our ethically verified sites by 33%, using the SMETA methodology to assess labor, health, and safety standards. -
We use the SEDEX platform to evaluate our human rights management systems in relation to international standards. -
We have adopted gender equality policies and embrace a business philosophy of non-discrimination (regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or any other condition) in our recruitment processes. -
We partnered with Stronger Together to design robust, bias-free ethical recruitment procedures. -
We signed five collective agreements with workers' representatives to offer conditions that go beyond the guarantees established by law. -
We have a Code of Ethics that has been communicated to all our stakeholders, including collaborators, suppliers, and customers.
Quality Education
SCHOOL SUPPLIES DONATION:
Every year, Grupo Esfuerzo provides more than 100 school supply kits. This program is focused on children under the age of 12 who are in primary school, sons and daughters of our collaborators in Limón.
This initiative helps ease the financial burden that families face at the beginning of the school year, creating greater opportunities for children to access quality education in local schools.
PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS:
Grupo Esfuerzo grants a monetary incentive of approximately $50 every quarter to teenagers and young students attending secondary school who maintain grades above 80.
This scholarship is also aimed at the sons and daughters of our company’s collaborators, encouraging them to continue their strong academic performance.
Proper work and economic growth
We generate formal employment in historically vulnerable areas, including Matina, the county in Costa Rica with the greatest disadvantage according to the Human Development Atlas of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the University of Costa Rica.
We offer a total of 500 jobs; 100 of which are for indigenous Tayní – Cábecar people.
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Valle de La Estrella
Located in the region of La Estrella Valley in the province of Limón, the indigenous territory Tayní, formed by 18 communities, has historically been one of the most isolated aboriginal populations in the country.
This indigenous people of the Cabécar culture live in an indigenous reserve created by Executive Decree since 1976. Given its isolation, the provision of services such as health, education, infrastructure, trade and transport, among others, has represented a problem for its nearly 10000 inhabitants.
In order to contribute to the efforts of improving their life conditions, Grupo Esfuerzo maintains a constant social policy to donate different products of essential necessity. In the previous year it sent work footwear (boots), sports equipment for the recreation of its inhabitants and construction materials. Regarding the donation of materials, it is to be noted that, together with the company El Colono Agropecuario, 40 zinc sheets were donated last July.
The identification of needs and the subsequent delivery of the donations is carried out by the company in coordination with the indigenous leaders of this territory.
Between 25% and 30% of our workforce are women, primarily in roles within the packing plant.
We prioritize, when hiring—even for professional or administrative positions—individuals from local communities as well as the sons and daughters of our workers.
We offer internship opportunities to local university students.
Rigoberto Sánchez - Comité
Lindsay Barrantes - Asosiación
Grupo Esfuerzo respects labor rights and fully complies with the provisions of Costa Rica’s Labor Code, including the payment of social security contributions to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which provides universal healthcare services.
In addition, we offer additional benefits established through direct agreements with worker representatives, who are democratically elected in a general assembly.
Some of these conditions include:
- Paid leave for medical appointments.
- Financial assistance in the event of the death of close relatives.
- Financial donations for the promotion of sports, culture, and recreation.
- DA solidarity association with a 2% monthly employer contribution.
We follow a corporate philosophy of non-discrimination (Regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or any other condition.) in all of our recruitment process
HEALTH
CARE OF COVID-19
Ensuring the wellbeing of our employees has been one of our most representative pillars since our founding 33 years ago.
After a difficult time, as a result of the Covid-19 health crisis, the company’s interest in its employees, their families and the surrounding community increased.
During 2022 we have articulated efforts to deliver packages with food and other supplies to those collaborators with greater socio-economic difficulties.
On the other hand, and as part of our interest in promoting the integral well-being of our employees, we have delivered implements such as balls, nets for football courts, uniforms and gloves, which will be used by the sports teams formed by the workers in the community.
VACCINATION
The response to our vaccination campaigns against the Covid-19 virus was satisfactory, both to protect the health of our collaborators and their families, as to keep the farms and production plants active.
Almost 500 people, including workers and their families, took part in these three inoculation campaigns carried out in the past year: over 300 people got the first dose, 100 received the second dose and 70 already have the third one.
In the health area, Grupo Esfuerzo also provides monetary contributions to the family members of any collaborator who passes away.
Sustainable cities and communities
Fotografía de los fundadores: Don Eduardo Gómez y Doña Beatriz
El Esfuerzo Residential Area
The El Esfuerzo Housing Development was built in 2012 to provide adequate housing for 91 families, most of whom are employees of the company. This project, led by Mr. Eduardo Gómez (1935 – 2024), was executed through a public-private partnership with the Municipality of Matina, BANHVI, Banco Popular, JAPDEVA, FUPROVI, and the community. Grupo Esfuerzo donated the 3-hectare land, and the houses were constructed using resources from the Family Housing Bond. The families themselves contributed nearly 32 million colones in self-construction efforts (labor and materials provided by the beneficiaries themselves).
This project responds to the human right to adequate housing. Each house includes at least two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a continuous living-dining-kitchen area, along with a laundry area and corridor, with an average total cost of ₡11 million.
Additionally, the housing development features concrete sidewalks, ramps for people with disabilities, electrical wiring, a potable water distribution network, a wastewater treatment plant, and fire hydrants.
It also has paved streets, road markings, and stormwater drainage is managed through a curb and gutter system, as well as an underground piping system with catch basins, wells, and outfalls.
Some homes have even been fully adapted for wheelchair users and other types of disabilities.
Currently, around 400 people live in the El Esfuerzo Housing Development, including 18 women heads of household, 2 single fathers, 7 elderly adults, and more than 100 children.
LEVEE FOR FLOOD PREVENTION
We contributed to the construction of a levee in 2021 to revent flooding in communities located in Costa Rica’s Atlantic region.
LEVEE FOR FLOOD PREVENTION
We contributed to the construction of a levee in 2021 to revent flooding in communities located in Costa Rica’s Atlantic region.