Sugar Industry Stakeholders Commended For Maintaining Stability

Stakeholders in the sugar industry are being lauded for ensuring stability during recent work separation exercises, and the divestment of several sugar factories across the island.

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Luther Buchanan, who commended the various groups in the industry, including trade unions, said the collaboration can “defeat the new challenges we face.”

“Against the background of the current adjustments and redundancies, it is heartening to note that the entities involved are liaising with the unions, and the affected workers are receiving the compensation due to them,” the State Minister said.

He was addressing the Annual General Meeting of the All-Island Cane Farmers Association, held on November 11, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in New Kingston.

Mr. Buchanan reminded the farmers that there is a “prospect” for re-employment for displaced sugar workers in St. Thomas, as was pointed out recently by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, and that the Government will be assisting farmers in Trelawny to transport their cane to the Appleton factory in St. Elizabeth.

The State Minister urged all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to achieve long- term success, noting that sugar is the largest employer of labour, and the greatest foreign exchange earner in the agricultural sector.

“Our hope for growth and development of the sector resides in our belief that we can work together to create a diversified sector with new markets, supported by increased investments and improved production and productivity,” he told the audience.

Mr. Buchanan assured the cane farmers of the Government’s continued support for the sugar industry, adding that ongoing policies will be implemented, so that the sector can be transformed and be sustainable.