Sugar planters group commit to stop child labor practices

ORMOC CITY, Philippines  — Sugar planters in the Ormoc-Kananga Sugar District recently issued their commitment to end the employment of minors, or child labor practice, in the sugar industry in this part of Leyte. 

The Ormoc-Kananga Mill District Development Council Foundation Inc (OKMDDCFI), comprising stakeholders from the sugar industry, had approved a resolution committing to help in the implementation of Republic Act 9231 or the Anti-Child Labor Law.

Foundation chairman Roy Bernard Fiel said that since sugar industry is perceived to be a possible area where children may be employed, and the group wanted to help enforcing the law by imposing sanctions on erring sugarcane farmers within the district.

He added that the foundation also resolved to suspend its services and assistance to sugarcane farmers in the district if found guilty of violating the law.

DOLE-8’s OIC regional director Exequiel Sarcauga and information officer Virgilio Doroja Jr., said the action taken by the OKMDDCFI came after the conduct of advocacy or orientation seminar on RA 9231 for the sugar planters group last December.

Sarcauga reportedly welcomed this development and expressed optimism that, with this partnership with industry stakeholders, child labor may be eliminated and the government could achieve its vision of a Child Labor-Free Philippines. 

“We would like to commend the MDDCFI for taking a bold step to address child labor in the sugar industry, but our work does not stop there. We need stronger action and shared commitment if we want to remove children from hazardous forms of employment,” said the labor official.  (FREEMAN)