Gov't urged to give social amelioration fund to sugar workers

The militant National Federation of Sugar Workers-Food (NFSW) urges Governor Zayco and the Department of Labor and Employment to give directly the support fund from the Social Amelioration Fund to the sugar workers through the unions.

“The Social Amelioration Fund should be given directly to the sugar workers and not to sugar planters and big landlords. It is from the blood and sweat of the sugar workers and it is moral and rightful that it is them that should receive,” Isidro Castillo, chairperson of the National Federation of Sugar Workers-Negros said.

Under the Sugar Amelioration Act of 1991 (or the Republic Act 6982), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall set aside 10 liens (equivalent to P10.00) in every LKG (50 kilos) of sugar produced. This will go to the Social Amelioration Fund (SAF) of which, 80% of this will go to Social Amelioration Bonus while the remaining 20% goes to economic project for the farm workers, maternity and death benefits and admin support for DOLE/BRW.

Castillo commented that: “only a few sugar workers receive the benefits of the sugar amelioration. They hardly receive P400 for yearly bonuses and some may even receive a measly P40.00. Majority of the sugar workers, most especially the seasonal and pakyaw-based workers are not knowledgeable of the social amelioration and its benefits.”

“Sugar workers have been the backbone of sugar industry. They suffered of low wages and inhuman work condition during milling season, and in times of dead season, (Tiempos Muertos) they suffered extreme poverty and hunger,” Castillo lamented.

The National Federation of Sugar Workers has been demanding since 2006 that the government should release the unclaimed Social Amelioration Fund to the farm workers, and to the unions and workers association. During the time of former DOLE Regional Director Carlos Boteros, the unclaimed SAF already reaches P 150 million.

“While we support the government initiatives to extend assistance to the farm workers at a time of worsening crisis, we raise doubts as to the plan to release the funds to the sugar planters associations and to landlord-established bogus cooperatives. It may end up in the pockets of the politicians and landlords.”

The National Federation of Sugar Workers will be initiating actions to demand for more social benefits and programs from the local government and provincial government.