ANTIQUE – The labor problems of Antique’s sugar migrant workers such as those in Negros Occidental must be addressed, according to Atty. Ade Fajardo, former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
Every milling season, between 3,000 to 4,000 Antiqueño sacadas work in Negros Occidental.
Citing his consultations with Antiqueños, Fajardo said labor standards are not being observed.
“Pareho abi kara gamay lang anda sweldo,” said Fajardo.
Working conditions were also difficult, he added.
“Ang ginapakaon sa anda kulang na lang daw damog ron sa ayam ukon baboy sa kapigaduhon ka pagkaon. Kag ang working conditions bukot tama ka mayad,” said Fajardo.
These prompted some sacadas to jump off the contract, resulting to many of them charged with estafa.
“Labor standards are uniform ra mo sa bilog nga Pilipinas. Kinanglan ma-implement. May minimum wage law kita,” said Fajardo who is running for congressman of Antique.
To effectively press for these, he stressed the need for Antiqueños and sacadas to unite in a single voice “nga malab-ot ang minimum wage nga ri-a para sa decent human wages, indi nga daw sa hayop bala ang pag-tratar sa aton mga kasimanwa.”
Fajardo cited another problem of sacadas – labor contracting that is prohibited by the Labor Code but is widely practiced.
“Dapat may employer-employee relationship nga pwede ikaw maka-demand sa employer mo sang labor standards nga ri-a,” said Fajardo.
In these complex labor concerns, sacadas need legal help. Fajardo said there’s the Public Attorney’s Office whose services are free but “tam-an na gid kaduro ila obra”.
The IBP which has a local chapter also has a free legal aid program, said Fajardo.
“Pwede man kita kadanop dya kara,” he said.
The legal aid program is “wara gid ga-untat…it’s a continuing program.”
“Ang basic sectors sang aton society kinanglan buligan gid naton – ang mangunguma kag mangingisda. Kun pamaumwad ta ang aton panguma kag pangisda, gamay na lang ang rason ta na mag-export sang aton sugarcane workers. At least may source of livelihood ang diri sa aton ,” said Fajardo./PN
