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International Award “Leader of Change” for the Eradication of Child Labor 2023 Goes to Central American Sugar Sector Campaign

The International Organization of Employers (IOE), based in Geneva, Switzerland, has bestowed the prestigious International “Leader of Change” Award upon the Association of Sugar Producers of Central America (AICA) for its annual campaign “I Take Care of You” aimed at preventing child labor in the Central American region.

The “I Take Care of You” campaign focuses on preventing child labor in the sugar sector of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, through publications and training and awareness activities for both producers and surrounding communities.

“In this context, and as part of the commitment of governments and businesses to the Durban Call to Action adopted at the V World Conference on the Eradication of Child Labor in 2022, the AICA relaunched its regional campaign (…). The “I Take Care of You” campaign seeks to raise awareness about child and adolescent labor, along with the corresponding protective legislation. It also advocates for the importance of caring for boys and girls and ensuring their right to education,” explains the IOE on its website: https://shorturl.at/adgr8

“IOE’s Chief Adviser, Rita Yip, announced the winner of the Award during the 14th Annual Meeting of the ILO Platform on Child Labor: ‘We are pleased to award this year’s prize to AICA. The campaign of this association, supported by IOE members in the region, is making significant efforts to eradicate child labor. It also serves as a significant source of inspiration for other regional and national sectoral bodies to commit to preventing and eliminating this unacceptable practice,'” adds the IOE.

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The biological treasure in sugarcane farms

Reptile in a sugar cane farm in Guatemala
Reptile in a sugar cane farm in Guatemala

70% of the planet’s biodiversity is concentrated in 10% of the earth, specifically in 20 countries in the world, which are known as megadiverse countries, among which is Guatemala.

In the south of Guatemala you can find great biological diversity. For example, in the farms where sugar cane is grown there are forests, rivers, flora, fauna that together form the so-called agro landscape. Twenty-two families of amphibians and reptiles have been identified, as well as 219 species of trees, which provide food and shelter for fauna in the sugarcane agro landscape.

The National Reforestation Plan of the Guatemalan Sugar Industry carried out every year benefits the conservation of biological diversity. The Sugar Industry has 2,507 hectares of natural forests, which are protected and cared for.

Bird shelter

The agricultural landscape on the farms where sugar cane is grown is home to 248 different species of birds. According to studies by the Private Institute for Climate Change Research -ICC-, 55 of these species are protected according to international and national conservation lists.

Biodiversidad

In addition, ICC researchers have identified 78 species of migratory birds, which find refuge in the agricultural landscape of sugarcane. These species travel each year from the northern hemisphere of the continent towards the south.

Migratory birds travel between September and November of each year and return to North America between March and May. When they pass through Guatemala, the forested areas of the cane fields provide them with food and shelter, thus they manage to accumulate energy to fly and continue their journey.

This agro-landscape, and the scientific evidence compiled by experts, reaffirms the commitment of the Sugar Industry to be environmentally sustainable and conserve the biological diversity of the South of Guatemala.

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The Guatemalan Sugar Industry presents Guild Policy of Respect for Human Rights

Politica DDHH4

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry presented its Policy of Respect for Human Rights that reaffirms the Sugar Industry’s commitment to observe and fulfill the fundamental rights enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Labor Organization -ILO- Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

This Policy of Respect for Human Rights complements and frames the policies and regulations that govern the Guatemalan Sugar Industry since 2000, which, based on national legislation, adapt sugarcane activities for a responsible operation focused on social, economic and environmental sustainability.

The objective of this Policy is to contribute to the State of GuatemalaPolitica DDHH2 in respect of Human Rights, promoting the training and strengthening of capacities in Human Rights for employees, as well as in the supply chain. In addition, ensure compliance with the existing guild policies for the prevention, mitigation, and resolution of impacts on the community. In the same way, encourage dialogue for action on human rights.

“We are companies committed to the economic growth and social development of Guatemalans, our contribution to the country is manifested every day. For us, the human being is the center of our work“, said Alfredo Vila, president of the Guatemalan Sugar Association -Asazgua-.

During this process, there was technical support from the International Labor Organization, through CEGESTI, an institution that facilitated the formulation workshops.

“We have not found such a sophisticated, structured and well-run process from the private sector and business leaders anywhere in the world and that is why we classify it as unprecedented, which happens with great pleasure from Guatemala,” said Randall Arias, of the ILO Sub-regional Office in San José, Costa Rica, regarding the policy creation process.

“Given the commitments that Guatemala has with the international agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, Guild Policy of Respect for Human Rights launch of the Guatemalan Sugar Industry, constitutes a clear commitment and contribution, from the generation of decent jobs, the production of sugar and its derivatives, as well as representing Guatemala in world markets as a productive sector that supports government efforts with an international view”, said Maria Silvia Pineda, Asazgua Sustainability Manager.

Politica DDHH1The public presentation of the Guild Policy of Respect for Human Rights was virtual and, in addition to Asazgua executives and directors, also participated: Leonardo Ferreira, ILO Deputy Director for Central America, Haiti, Panama and the Dominican Republic; Randall Arias, from the ILO Sub-regional Office in Costa Rica; Pedro Brolo, Minister of Foreign Relations of Guatemala; Carla Rodríguez, Guatemalan Ambassador to the UN in Geneva; Roberto Ardón, Cacif executive director; Carla Caballeros, Camagro executive director and Daira Gómez de Cegesti.

To access the Guatemalan Sugar Industry Policy of Respect for Human Rights (in Spanish) here.

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The Guatemalan Sugar Industry donates land for a new Hospital

 

Aware of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on Guatemala; one more time, the Guatemalan Sugar Industry stand in solidarity and unite in support of Guatemalans. Knowing the need for a new hospital on the South of the country, they handed over the Government’s disposal a land of 10,000 square meters located in a strategic point with multiple entrances, so that it could be installed there.

The land is located 92 km from the capital of the country, in the municipality of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, department of Escuintla in the south of the country. This is part of the experimental area of ​​the Guatemalan Center for Research and Training of Sugar Cane –Cengicaña-.

“Contributing to the Government’s efforts to serve the population in these difficult times is part of our commitment as a guild with the well-being of Guatemalan families, mainly on the south of Guatemala, where our people are,” said Luis Miguel Paiz, CEO of Asazgua.

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Guatemalan Sugar industry donates 110,231 pounds of sugar to families in need

 

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry donated 110,231 pounds of sugar in solidarity with families affected by the health emergency caused by the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

The sugar was handed through the Guatemalan Sugar Association -Asazgua- to the authorities, and was part of the food boxes that the Government is delivered to Guatemalans as part of its strategy against the global pandemic.

This support is in addition to the 1 million USD donation, made last March 21st, to acquire medical equipment that will enable the temporary Hospital to be installed on the South of Guatemala, in order to be prepared in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are committed to supporting Guatemalans at this difficult time, which is why we contributed to the Government’s efforts to serve the population, and we continue to produce sugar and electricity under strict security measures,” said Luis Miguel Paiz, CEO of Asazgua.

We reiterate the call to Guatemalans to be united and take care of each other to get over this, we must follow the instructions issued by the Government to deal with this global emergency.

This is a critical moment and requires of all of us to be united to overcome it.

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The Guatemalan Sugar Industry stand in solidarity with health workers

 

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry is aware of the need to provide aid to health workers who are on the front line in the fight against COVID-19, that is why the sugar mills that produce alcohol donated thousands of gallons of this supply to the Guatemalan’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.

In addition, as it must be a comprehensive effort, gallons of alcohol were also delivered to municipal authorities. This is to contribute with the efforts to disinfect and prevent the spread of the virus.

Ingenio Palo Gordo, focused its proposal to support the health units of the South of Guatemala, with more than 10,000 gallons of alcohol reduced to 70% for the use of hand disinfection and surface cleaning. Alcohol is being distributed in the Health Directorates of  the departments of Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, Escuintla, Santa Rosa and Jutiapa.

Ingenio Magdalena, donated 10,000 liters of alcohol to hospitals and municipalities, and Grupo Pantaleón donated 10,000 gallons of 70% ethyl alcohol to disinfect hospital areas and hands.

One of the by-products of sugar production is alcohol. Guatemala exports 100% of the alcohol it produces to countries such as the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom, among others.

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Sugar mills donate US$1 million to equip hospital to face the Covid-19 pandemic in the south of Guatemala

 

In the face of the health emergency caused by the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Guatemalan sugar mills show solidarity and donated 1 million USD to equip the temporary hospital to be installed on the South  of Guatemala.

These resources will be used to acquire medical equipment that will enable the temporary Hospital to be installed on the South Coast in order to be prepared for the medical care of people in the face of the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Contributing to the Government’s efforts to serve the population in these difficult times is part of our commitment as a sector with the well-being of Guatemalan families. Likewise, we continue to produce sugar, under strict security measures, so that it is not lacking of this essential product in homes and energy to continue lighting Guatemala”, said Vila.

Asazgua made a call on all Guatemalans to unite and take care of each other following the instructions issued by the Government to deal with this global emergency. This is a critical moment and requires of all the world to be united to overcome it.

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The sweetest season begins in Guatemala

Zafra 2020-2021 began with safety mesures

 

The sugar mills in Guatemala began the Zafra season 2019/20 which means that sugarcane is harvested for the production of sugar, energy and alcohol for seven months, during which time 1.8 million people benefit with the jobs generated by the Guatemalan Sugar Industry

Zafra promotes economic recovery in the South of Guatemala, due to the generation of jobs and the hiring of thousands of suppliers of products and services, who also become employers and multiply the opportunities for the local population. During the recent Zafra (2018/19), 56,000 direct and 280,000 indirect jobs were generated.

The sugar mills part of the Guatemalan Sugar Association–Asazgua- operate under a strict labor policy and distribute each year around US$400 million in wages and salaries, in addition to programs to provide health, entertainment and food services to their collaborators. In a study by the Sugar Association, the sugar footprint of Guatemala reaches all the regions of the country.

In Guatemala there are 11 sugar mills for the production of sugar, and also they generate renewable energy, which during the previous Zafra covered up to 31% of the national demand. They also produce alcohol that is mainly exported to the United States and Europe.

During the 2018/19 harvest, 2.9 million metric tons of sugar were produced, of which 70 percent was exported to 58 countries in the world. These exports, added to those of alcohol and molasses, represent 7 percent of the country’s exports, according to figures from the Bank of Guatemala (Central Bank). For this year the production projection is maintained.

Guatemala is the second sugar exporter in Latin America and the fourth worldwide; Guatemala also has the third place in productivity worldwide with respect to obtaining sugar per hectare cultivated.

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Guatemala starts Harvest Season 2018-2019

Thousands of workers began their jobs at the Guatemalan sugar mills.

Guatemala November 6, 2018. Today, the sugar mills Magdalena and Madre Tierra began operation, marking the beginning of the 2018-2019 sugarcane harvest season in Guatemala; known locally as “Zafra” the sugar production that will last six months.

For the people living at the South of Guatemala, the Zafra is synonymous with economic reactivation since every year the Guatemalan Sugar Industry generates more than 80 thousand direct and 410 thousand indirect jobs, in addition to the hiring of thousands of suppliers of products and services, who also generate more jobs.

The sugar mill are members of the Guatemalan Sugar Association -Asazgua- and they operate under a strict labor policy and distribute every year the equivalent to US$400 million in wages, in addition to providing their employees with additional health, entertainment and food services. The Guatemalan Sugar Sector generates 5 percent of all formal jobs in the country.

There are 11 sugar mills operating in the process of making sugar in Guatemala, they are in the south region of the country in the departments of Escuintla, Santa Rosa, Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu. In adition to producing sugar they generate renewable electric energy, which during the harvest covers up to 32% of the national demand. They also produce alcohol that is exported mainly to the United States and Europe.

During the 2017-2018 harvest season, 2 million 752 thousand 575 metric tons of sugar were produced, of which 70 percent was exported to more than 70 countries in the world. This exports represent 9 percent of the country’s total exports, according to figures from the Guatemalan Central Bank. This year the projection is that the production will remain similar.

Guatemala is the second largest exporter of sugar in Latin America and the fourth in the world; Guatemalan Sugar also has the third place in productivity worldwide with respect to obtaining sugar per hectare cultivated.