FOOD PACKS

Compostela Valley will provide emergency food packs amidst protest vs Sumifru

Nabunturan, Compostela Valley - The provincial government of Compostela Valley and the municipal government of Compostela will provide emergency food packs to the displaced workers amidst protests at the packing plants of Sumifru in Compostela town.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) – Compostela Valley, more than 2,000 workers were not able to work due to the demonstration conducted by the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm – National Federation of Labor Unions – Kilusang Mayo Uno (Namasufa-Naflu-KMU), which started last October 1.

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy emphasized that the food packs will just be a temporary assistance to the affected workers as they could not receive salaries on the days that they will not perform their jobs.

Uy suggested to the Dole to prepare cash for work program for the distressed employees if the situation gets worse.

He said aside from the emergency food packs, he is also looking at the peace and security in the area as tensions arose between the affected workers and the protesters.

Last October 3, around 500 displaced workers dispersed around 50 strikers at Packing Plant 115 in Barangay Maparat.

In an interview, one of the affected workers said that they can no longer stay and just wait for the protest to end, while they cannot provide for their families’ needs. /

Aside from the emergency food packs, the peace and security in the area should be looked into as tensions arose between the affected workers and the protesters. JAYVEE TYRON UY

Comval Governor