Republic Act No. 6982

It is the policy of the State to further strengthen the rights of workers in the sugar industry to their just share in the fruits of production by augmenting their income and, among other schemes, institutionalizing the mechanism among the partners in the sugar industry to enable the workers and their families to enjoy a decent living.

In pursuance of this policy, the State shall consider the demand for living wages, the needs of the workers and their families, improvement in their standards of living, the seasonal nature of the work in the sugar industry, incentives for productivity, the interest of the consumers, the viability of the sugar industry, the fair return of the capital invested, and the equitable distribution of income and wealth along the imperatives of economic and social development.

To effectively implement the social and economic programs for workers in the sugar industry pursuant to the provisions of this Act, a National Tripartite Council in the Sugar Industry, hereinafter referred to as the Sugar Tripartite Council, is hereby created as the advisory body to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as regards such programs.

The Sugar Tripartite Council shall consist of ten (10) members composed of the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representative as ex officio chairman; one (1) representative from the Sugar Regulation Administration, who shall likewise sit in an ex officio capacity; two (2) representatives from the millers sector; two (2) representatives from the mill workers sector; and two (2) representatives from the workers sector, as members.

The representatives from the planters, millers and workers sectors shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment from among the nominees of the planters, millers and workers organizations, respectively.

The representatives from the planters, millers and workers sectors shall serve for a term of three (3) years unless sooner recalled by the nominating organization.n case of vacancy, the successor shall serve the unexpired portion of the term of his predecessor. The successor shall come from the nominees of the sector which nominated the predecessor.

The travelling expenses and per diem herein mentioned shall be paid out from the funds of the DOLE.

Any undistributed amount due the workers shall, within three (3) months, be remitted to and held in trust by the DOLE for a period of three (3) years from the date of remittance, after which it shall be deemed forfeited in favor of the socioeconomic programs for sugar workers.

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Labor and Employment to make at least three publications before the end of said three (3) year period and to make the corresponding radio announcements in radio stations operating in the area to inform the beneficiaries concerned regarding their unclaimed cash bonus. The said publications shall be made through local newspapers and by posting in conspicuous public places in the area where the concerned beneficiaries reside.

The forfeited amount, including its interests, shall be utilized for projects or programs in favor of the sugar workers as recommended by the Sugar Tripartite Council.

On recommendation of the Sugar Tripartite Council, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall use twenty percent (20%) share herein allocated for socio-economic programs, and any and all incomes or interests thereon, for the following:

The Bureau of Rural Workers of the Department of Labor and Employment created under Presidential Decree No. 1365, as amended, shall assist the Secretary of Labor and Employment in carrying out the provisions of this Act and such rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

All liens and other forms of production sharing in favor of the workers in the sugar industry under Republic Act No. 809 and Presidential Decree No. 621, as amended, are hereby substituted by the benefits under this Act: provided, that cases arising from such laws pending in the courts or administrative bodies at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

Any person who intentionally violates Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 14 of this Act, and any of the rules promulgated under Section 11 hereof, shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or both.

If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the entity's responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the president, vice-president, chief executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner.

The provisions of Section 12 hereof notwithstanding, nothing in this Act shall be construed to reduce any benefit, interest, right or participation enjoyed by the workers at the time of the enactment of this Act, and no amount received by any beneficiary under this Act shall be subject to any form of taxation.

All funds remitted to and held in trust by the Department of Labor and Employment pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be audited by the Commission on Audit, and all disbursements shall be made in accordance with existing auditing rules and regulations.

All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.