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Maputo — The wage fund for workers in the sugar sector increased from about five million US dollars in 2000 to a little over 30 million dollars in 2008 as a result of the creation of more jobs and wage rises every year
The four sugar plantations and mills operating in Mozambique, namely Maragra and Xinavane, in Maputo province, and Marromeu and Mafambisse, in Sofala, are currently employing directly 25,632 workers, including permanent and seasonal workers, compared to 24,916 in 2007.
According to data from the government's Agriculture Promotion Centre (CEPAGRI), of that figure, 20,846 are full time jobs, which means that the sugar sector has a significant impact on the country's economy, particularly on employment in rural areas.
Although the targets for production in 2008 were not fully met, there was an increase in the workforce when compared with 2007, mostly in Xinavane and Mafambisse, which were undergoing expansion programmes.
The Xinavane factory recorded the largest increase of employment in 2008, adding 2,976 new jobs to its 2007 workforce.
The Mafambisse factory added 392 new jobs, but Marromeu, which claims to be trying to improve efficiency and productivity, reduced its work force by 1,234 in 2008.
According to CEPAGRI, companies that operate in the collection and transportation of sugar cane and the independent operators employ about 5,000 permanent and seasonal workers, which brings the number of people employed in the sugar sector up to about 30,000 in 2008.
The wages in the sugar companies are based on the fixed minimum statutory wage, established between the government, employers, and the trade unions, but it also includes an additional allowance, negotiated between the employers and the National Sugar Workers Union.