The Department of Labor and Employment Region 6 (DOLE-6) through its Antique Field Office (AnFO) participated in the “Bisita Sacada” to monitor the condition of the sugar migrant workers (SMWs) or sacadas in Negros Occidental.

Bisita Sacada, which was initiated by the provincial government of Antique, aims to check on the situation of Antiqueños who are working in large sugarcane plantations in various haciendas in Negros Occidental.

“It is DOLE’s mandate to look after the welfare of the workers and to make sure that they are treated fairly and humanely,” said DOLE-6 OIC-Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr.

The team composed of representatives from DOLE-6 led by AnFO head Carmela M. Abellar and from different provincial government offices of Antique visited the temporary dwelling facility provided by employers to the sacadas to make sure that they have a decent and safe place to stay during their employment. They also listened to their woes and blues while working in sugarcane plantations away from their families for months.

As of December 31 last year, 4,157 sacadas were deployed in 92 sugarcane plantations in Negros Occidental. Milling supervisors would start hiring sacadas as early as July for the milling season that starts usually in September and ends in April the year after.

Abellar, a Negrense and a granddaughter of a milling supervisor, fully understands the procedures and safeguards in hiring the sacadas.

“To ensure the eligibility and the protection of the sugarcane migratory workers, we require complete submission of their documentary requirements like medical certificates before their deployment,” she said.

DOLE is also mandated to issue Authority to Transport to planters through their authorized representatives under Department Order No. 159 series of 2016.

During the program, Abellar assured the sacadas that the DOLE will continue to protect and uphold their rights like the rest of the Filipino workers, deserving of the right wages and benefits including occupational safety and health as well as social protection and the enrollment of all sacadas in the Social Security System (SSS).

The provincial government of Antique headed by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao also distributed food packs and medicines to the sacadas in the haciendas located in Isabela town and La Carlota City./WDJ