Sugar Watch launched in Bacolod

Some members of the labor sector in Negros Occidental launched Sugar Watch Philippines (SWP) in Bacolod City on Labor Day last May 1 to oppose the sugar import liberalization.

Close to 50 leaders and representatives of different labor groups and unions led by the General Alliance of Workers Associations (GAWA) joined in the call for the government to drop its plan to liberalize the importation of sugar.

In a statement, the convenors of Sugar Watch, a watchdog of the sugar industry, condemned the proposed sugar import liberalization, saying it would ruin the local sugar industry and displace thousands of sugar workers and their families.

Any decision in favor of the sugar import liberalization would be a dreadful blow to the sugar industry and its stakeholders, the group said.

They also said state economic managers did not have a clear notion of the problems facing the industry and who were causing them.

“We cannot remain silent in the midst of this impending economic disaster which is grave and imminent. Hence, we should look upon this opposition as a crusade to defend the livelihood and continued employment of the marginalized farmers-producers and workers including their families,” they said.

In a manifesto signed by members of the labor sector, Sugar Watch said it will never allow the sugar industry to die.

They said the workers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, small farmers, and all stakeholders of the sugar industry, must brace themselves against the impending economic catastrophe by preventing the implementation of sugar import liberalization which shall be their advocacy to save the sugar industry from imminent collapse.

The group vowed to defend their livelihood with honor and dignity.

Last month, the Rice and Sugar Watch (RSW)-Negros, was launched, composed of about 20 organizations, mainly sugar and rice cooperatives and labor unions.