Hacienda Luisita workers mount protest

MALOLOS, Bulacan — Farmers of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, supported by various militant groups in Central Luzon, staged a rally at the provincial capitol here yesterday to decry the "oppressive" policy of the management requiring them to work for only one day a week, on a rotation basis.

The workers said the Cojuangcos, who own the said estate, have continuously ignored their demand for a 4-5 day-workweek during the rainy seasons, "so they could feed their families."

Benjamin Pamposa of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Loob ng Hacienda Luisita (AM-BALA) said that they used to work for 6-7 days with overtime, and they were being paid P194.50 a day. With the new scheme implemented by the management, they fear that they cannot provide food for their families.

He said that there are 5,500 workers inside the Cojuangco-owned estate and that most of them are being prevented from working in the sugarcane plantations if they are not on duty. — James Mananghaya