Sugar Farmers Share Experiences with Contract Booklet

Lauranio Rosado

This morning the Belize Sugar Industries held a virtual session on good hiring practices in the cane farming sector.  The event included a review of the contract booklet with the cane farmers and testimonials about how this has impacted their lives on and off the field.

Lauranio Rosado, Cane Cutter, N.S.C.G.A.

“In the past, there weren’t contracts and we cut any way. But, now that there are contracts it’s a good benefit for all of us.”

Eustaquio Poot

Eustaquio Poot, Vice Chairman, N.S.C.G.A.

“It is better because it is written. There is evidence. The cane cutter cannot say a day off was not given. They signed and agreed on the conditions of the contract. So, they get their days off. It benefits everyone, because when one has a day off the others have opportunity to make some extra earnings.”

Octavio Cowo III

Octavio Cowo III, Harvest Group Leader, P.S.C.P.A.

“I think it’s better, because then we have data on how we can organize our groups. Back then we didn’t have any information on how we can organize the cutter in the industry in specific, because we would have a lot of floating cutters over the place and it is hard to control them. But, now we would have an idea on how we can work things out with them with this kind of information.”

Jorge Luis Novelo

Jorge Luis Novelo, Cane Cutter, B.S.C.F.A.

“In the past they didn’t give these P.P.E.s and now yes. It helps us a lot.  In the past I received two cuts which sent me to the hospital for a month. This year I had one cut but by using the gloves it protected me a lot. The cut didn’t go through. This helps a lot.”

To improve the booklet, cane farmers suggested that more information on Social Security benefits and labor rights be provided. Furthermore, it was suggested that cane farmers who are unable to read or understand the contract be taken into consideration.