World · Philippines Bureau
Farm workers' union challenges sugar industry's labor cost claims
The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura disputes the Sugar Council's assertions about high sugarcane labor expenses, pointing to inadequate wages and exploitative working conditions affecting hundreds of thousands of field workers across the country.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — A leading agricultural workers' union has pushed back against industry claims that sugarcane labor represents a significant cost burden, arguing instead that field workers endure low pay and grueling schedules without proper compensation.
The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) issued the statement in response to the Sugar Council's characterization of labor expenses in the sector. According to UMA chairperson Ariel Casilao, the assertion misrepresents the actual conditions facing workers in Philippine sugarcane plantations.
The union cited multiple concerns, including insufficient wages that fail to meet living standards, extended working hours without overtime compensation, and a substantial number of seasonal workers who have not received customary cash bonuses. UMA contended these factors demonstrate that workers, rather than employers, bear the burden of the sector's economic challenges.
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between labor advocates and the sugar industry over fair compensation and working conditions in one of the Philippines' major agricultural sectors. The issue comes as discussions continue regarding production costs and industry sustainability in the face of global market pressures.