Chapter 7

Tapping Premium, Quality Inspections And Sanction systems

Introduction

The provision of tapping premium and sanction systems in plantations are

designed to motivate workers to perform well, maintain higher level of

performance and sustain productivity of the crop. The system rewards workers

with additional income for good performance while correcting those who violate

tapping rules.

Good performance includes compliance with established tapping standards and

meeting and exceeding production goals as set by the plantation management.

Sanctions or penalties are employed to discourage workers from committing

tapping offenses which may seriously harm or damage the crop. The tapping

quality inspection method provided in this manual allows ample time and

opportunity for tappers to improve and correct their tapping performance and

work behavior.

1. General Guidelines

A tapper’s production premium refers to premiums paid to tappers who

exceed the production targets set for their tasks.

Total production is determined by multiplying the tapper’s total daily

collection of latex (in kilograms) by the DRC established daily from the field

sample taken on individual blocks, or group samples taken from blocks of

the same rubber clones and age of planting, plus the total kilograms of cup

lump and tree lace collected multiplied by the established DRC figures.

This is then compared to the target crop for the block. Premium is paid for

excess crop achieved by the tapper. No deduction is made if the tapper

does not meet the target.

Corresponding deductions however, should be imposed against production

premiums for infractions committed against tapping quality standards.

2. Monthly Premium Payments to Tappers and Capatazes

CAP-PBD Post-Replanting Rubber Manual 53


2.1 Gross Production of Tapper Latex

The latex production premium for the tapper will be based on the total

kilos of dry rubber brought in by the tapper. The DRC for each latex

harvest should be accurately calculated in the laboratory or field

samples dried at the processing plant each day. This DRC will be

used to determine the number of kilos of dry rubber brought in by

each tapper.

2.2 Gross Production of Tapper Cup Lump and Tree Lace

The cup lump and tree lace premium should be based on the total

kilos of dry rubber brought in by the tapper. A DRC of 40 - 50 % of

wet field weight should be used to determine the dry rubber content of

cup lump/tree lace. A separate premium payment for cup lumps and

tree laces shall be established by the cooperative based on yield

estimates and percentage field recovery of lower grades. This is to

ensure that latex is not deliberately left in the field to coagulate for

next day's collection.

2.3 Setting Standards for Latex Production

Latex production standards per block should be established through

annual and monthly crop projections. This is done through the

Production Manager with the approval of the Plantation Manager. The

procedure will include assessment of the crops' current and past yield

performances, field conditions, stimulation practices and other factors

that may influence crop yield. It should also take into consideration the

yield projections stipulated under the CAP-PBD Program for newly

established plantations. Please refer to Table 4 in page 45.

Production standards (expressed in yield per hectare and yield per

tapper) is used as a benchmark on which premium and incentive

system for tappers are based. The computation should cover the

standard monthly target per block or clone group established by

management under its annual production plan to ensure that the



premiums paid to tappers are not subsidized, and instead taken from

the excess production produced for the period.

2.4 Monthly Premium Payment to Capatazes

Premiums paid to capatazes are done to motivate them to in turn

properly supervised and motivate tappers. The cooperative can pay a

premium to the Capatazes that is based on the performance of

tappers under his jurisdiction.

Tapping Capataz may, for instance, receive 1.5 times the average

premium paid each month to all the tappers under him.

3. Tapping Quality Inspections and Penalties

A component in the tapping operation is the establishment and enforcement of tapping quality inspections. This measure will ensure that rubber trees are properly tapped following the approved tapping systems employed.

The following processes and procedures should be used as guideposts in the conduct of tapping quality inspections:

a. Once a month the Field Assistant / Inspector wills conduct inspection based on 20 trees sample per task, to check the quality of tapping and determine the premium points each tapper has earned for the period (See Annex Form No 4).

b. The criteria for inspection will include the following;

Depth of Tapping Wounds Bark consumption Cleanliness, which includes;

- Channels- Cups- Spouts- Utensils ( pails, knives )- Off grades- Tapping cuts



c. A tapper who fails to observe the prescribed minimum standards for rubber exploitation should be liable to sanctions depending on the gravity of the offense committed. Criteria for Inspection:

Shallow tapping meaning tapping below the prescribed depth of 1 mm from cambium. A tapper may be given written warning to improve tapping cut to the required depth. When the same offense is repeatedly committed after two successive inspections and warnings, the tapper may be suspended from work or be sent back to tapping school for re-training.

Wounds are classified into 3 categories. Penalties in the form of

deductions based on the degree of wounding may be enforced as

follows:

A wound - wound measuring about ¼ inch in diameter in the

tapping panel. A tapper exceeding 10 wounds per

tree/month may be penalized with a pre-established

deduction per tree from his earned premium.

B wound - wound measuring about ½ inch in diameter. A tapper

inflicting this kind of wound to the trees will be penalized

with a higher deduction per wound from his earned

premium.

C wound - wound measuring about ¾ - 1 inch in diameter. A tapper

having this kind of tree wounds will not be entitled to

production premium. Correspondingly, a written warning

may be given for possible transfer or re-training should

there be no improvement of performance in the

succeeding inspections.

Bark Consumption - refers to the amount of bark consumed every

month while tapping on a prescribed tapping system. Tappers must see

to it that they only consume bark within the allowed range of

consumption basing on the tapping systems employed. Any excess to

the contrary would be meted with following sanctions:


Kg DRC latex X Price/kg DRC latex for = P __________excess of target set for the month

ADD: Kg DRC lump/lace X Price/kg DRC lump/ = P __________lace for excess of target set for the month

LESS: Deductions from Inspection - - - - - - - - - P ___________

Premium to be paid = P ___________


Excess of 1/8 inch - a percentage equivalent to 25% of the tapper’s

earned premium will be forfeited if about 50 % of the trees inspected

were found to be in excess of 1/8 inch of bark consumed per tree

per month.

Excess of 3/16 inch - a percentage equivalent to 50% of the tapper’s

earned premium will be forfeited if at least 50% of the trees

inspected were measured to have exceeded bark consumption by

3/16 inch per tree per month.

Excess of 5/16 inch - One hundred percent (100%) of the tapper’s

earned premium shall be forfeited if about 50% of the trees

inspected were found to have exceeded bark consumption by 5/16

inch per tree per month.

Aside from forfeiture, a written warning should be given to erring

tappers for their possible transfer, re-training or even dismissal from

work may be imposed should they fail to improve on their tapping skills.

It is important that a strict policy in this regard is instituted and enforced

to prevent crop loss or damage.

Other Miscellaneous Infractions

Tappers who failed to maintain cleanliness of tapping channels, latex

cups, spouts, tapping utensils, off grades and tapping cuts during

inspections shall be meted with appropriate deduction per tree to be

taken from their earned premium.

A tapper who does not complete tapping his task or does not collect all

of his production for the day may receive a deduction in his daily wage.

The amount deducted will be proportionate to the number of trees left

untapped or the amount of production left uncollected. His tapping

premium for the month will likewise be forfeited.

Illustration of Premium Computation



4. Premium Payment for Other Works Performed

Tappers performing additional task aside from their regular assignment

should be given a premium to ensure that desired activities are

accomplished within the prescribed period and standards. For example,

opening of new trees would require tapping skills and cannot be delegated

to field workers who do not know how to tap to avoid crop damage. Hence,

tappers should be paid for the extra work done. The cleaning of tapping

cups/utensils by tappers is also encouraged since they know what part of

the tasks would require immediate cleaning.

4.1 Cup Cleaning.

A tapper must clean all cups in his tasks as required. Normally each

cup will be cleaned at least every 3 months or 4 times per year.

The Production Department should establish appropriate rates for cup

cleaning.

4.2 Pre-opening.

Prior to moving into new tasks, tappers must first open the new

tapping panels. This shall be done on three successive days before

regular tapping commences. The Production Department should

establish commensurate rates for this activity.

4.3 Opening virgin bark.

For the first three months of new opening on virgin bark, tappers

concerned may not be able to qualify for a monthly premium because

of adjustment and lower starting yields. However, after this period, the

tapper should be paid in accordance with the quality points earned

after inspection.

5. Additional Incentive Schemes



5.1 Additional Incentives equivalent to a tapper's day basic pay may be

given to individuals who have shown perfect work attendance every

month.

5.2 The cooperative may also provide other forms of incentives to

encourage tappers to produce more. For example, tappers who

received monthly net production premium of not less than P 100.00

may be given another form of reward through monthly raffle that will

give him a chance to win cash prizes.

The qualifying production premium and amount of cash prizes may be

determined by the cooperative.

6.0 Measurement of Dry Rubber Content (DRC)

The dry rubber content (DRC) of field latex varies but normally falls in the

range of 20-40 percent. It is affected by season, local weather, soil

condition, clones, stimulation, tapping systems and so forth. It is generally

used as basis for payment of latex and incentive payment to tappers. The

true DRC of field latex must be determined to ensure fair payment.

Many methods for the determination of DRC of field latex have been

developed and the following are some of the common methods used:

6.1 Metrolac Method

The use of metrolac method is probably the most rapid method,

though accuracy is limited over a wide range of conditions, which

include bio-deterioration, adulteration, dilution, aeration, and

temperature. This method is most popular for field use.

Procedure:

Mix one part of well-stirred field latex with two parts of clean water.

Pour the diluted latex into a metrolac cylinder until it overflows. Place

the metrolac in the cylinder. Remove any froth on the surface of the

latex. Allow the metrolac to rest without touching the side of the

cylinder. Take the reading on the metrolac stem at the meniscus of the



latex. Verify the reading by pushing the metrolac down slightly and

note the reading again.

The DRC of the latex is calculated by multiplying (x) the reading

obtained by three (3). The result is again multiplied by the volume of

latex. An example of the calculation is provided below:

Volume of field latex = 100 liters

Dilution (1:2 ) = 3 parts

Metrolac reading = 105

Weight of DRC = 105 x 3 x 100

= 31.5 kgs

6.2 Chee Method

This is another popular method used at latex collecting centers and

small scale processing factories. Although the standard error is

reported to be 0.3%, greater error can arise if samples are drawn

rapidly with the dipper.

Procedure:

Take away 50 grams of the latex using a special dipper as sample

and place it in a clean DRC dish. Coagulate the latex with 25 grams of

2% formic acid. When a clear serum is formed, remove the coagulum

and wash it carefully. Press the coagulum into a thin biscuit. Wash the

biscuit again and dry it in the oven at 70 degrees centigrade for 16

hours. Cool the biscuit and weight it in grams using a triple-beam

balance OHAUS 750S or a four-beam OHAUS 311. The weight of the

dry biscuit multiplied (x) by two (2) will give the percentage DRC of the

latex.

6.3 Standard Laboratory Method

This is the most accurate method of determining DRC of latex, having

a total error of 0.048. It requires high capital investment and highly

skilled operators.

Procedure:



Take about 45 ml of sample field latex in a conical flask and weight

out into a DRC dish by difference accurately. Add very slowly about

150 ml 0.5% acetic acid while rotating the dish. Leave the latex

undisturbed on the steam bath until a coagulum is formed with a clear

serum. Remove the coagulum carefully from the dish and press it to 2

mm thickness.

Wash the coagulum in clear water and dry it in the oven at 70 degrees

Celsius for 24 hours. Cool the coagulum in a desiccator for a few

minutes and weigh using an analytical balance. The weight of the dry

coagulum divided by the weight of the latex sample and multiplied by

100 will give the percentage DRC of the latex sample.


Documents

Chapter 7