Impacts of Seasonal Nature of Employment on the Income Stability of the Farm Laborers’ Household
Dhevine C. Paninsoro | Michell Princess D. Augusto | Jelly Fe Pacilan | Madelyn O. Francis | Irish Villapaña | Lorelyn D. Narvasa | Rechel Mae E. Cane | Mary Jane C. Ebo
Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)
Abstract:
Farm workers or laborers are essential as they provide the critical labor needed to cultivate,
harvest, and sustain the agricultural processes that ensure food security and drive the agricultural economy.
However, in the Philippine agriculture landscape, farm laborers are heavily affected by the seasonality of
their employment. The study on the impact of seasonal employment on the income stability of the farm
laborer's household remains under exploration. This participatory action research (PAR) aimed to explore
the impact of the seasonal nature of employment on the income stability of the farm laborer’s household in
Mapurog, Sapad, Lanao del Norte, through resource-flow activity with one-on-one interviews and
observations. This is analyzed using the reflexive thematic analysis. The study revealed a complex impact of
this developmental issue, including a significant reduction in income during off-peak seasons and increased
reliance on informal credit sources. Children stop attending school to engage in labor and help their parents,
essential daily needs remain unmet, access to healthcare is deprioritized, and mental distress pervades the
community. Furthermore, the research identifies reliance on loans, credit institutions, and extended family
arrangements as coping mechanisms for income instability. While these strategies demonstrate the
resourcefulness and resiliency of the farm laborers, they exacerbate financial distress rather than alleviate it.
The findings suggest that government policies should improve access to education, such as scholarship
programs that allow children to attend school without the economic pressure to work. Additionally,
financial policies could include the development of alternative and sustainable economic support systems
that reduce dependence on loans and debt. Lastly, comprehensive social protection programs should be
implemented to provide safety nets for vulnerable families, addressing the root causes of income instability
and promoting long-term community resilience.
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