Some 38 sugar migrant workers or sacadas from this province are now enrolled with the Social Security System and may avail of the claims such as “disability, sickness, death claim, and maternity for women.”

SSS Antique information officer Leory Ninora, in an interview Thursday, added they could also avail of the retirement benefit after 120 months of paying the premium or salary loan by just paying the monthly premium of PHP400 per month.

She added that PHP265 of the premium will be shouldered by their employer and PHP135 by the member.

In a separate interview, Sacada desk in-charge Randy Ardeño said during their meeting with contractors on July 13, they all agreed to enroll the sacadas with the SSS before they can be brought to Negros Occidental to start to work.

“There are 3,286 Antiqueño sacadas every milling season who are usually hired through the contractors by the sugar planters in Negros Occidental,” Ardeño said.

Among the requirements for the sugar migrant workers to become members of the SSS are a birth certificate if they are single and marriage certificate for those who are married, and two valid identification cards.

Before the SSS requirement, sacadas only have to register with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to secure a travel authority that will be presented to the Philippine Coast Guard before they board the ferry, he said.

They also have with them identifications cards issued by the provincial government. The two documents are necessary for tracing during the milling season.

The milling season usually starts end of September until December. (PNA)