SCJ Starts Paying Off Former Employees

The Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) began paying off its former employees, on Tuesday (June 16), as a prelude to the divestment of the factories and fulfilling a commitment made last year by the Government.
A release from the SCJ reported that $1.8 billion was paid out to 5,573 employees at the five Government-owned estates across the country – Bernard Lodge (St. Catherine), Frome (Westmoreland), Monymusk (Clarendon); St. Thomas Sugar; and Trelawny Sugar.
Frome, which had 1,470 employees received the largest portion – $467.4 million; followed by Monymusk, 1,292 employees, $371.2 million; Bernard Lodge, 1,253 employees, $330.2 million; St. Thomas, 893 employees, $148.4 million; and Trelawny, 677 employees, $52.3 million.
In addition, $356.5 million was also allocated to the company’s 188 senior management staff.
“The payout process was carried out smoothly with no incidents reported. Several financial institutions were on hand at the Estates offering financial advice and investment assistance to the payees,” the SCJ release said.
The issuing of the cheques commenced at 7:00 a.m. on most estates, and by 3:00 p.m, 80 per cent of recipients had collected their cheques.
“Arrangements have put in place to deliver cheques to persons who did not collect today and to deal with any complaints related to payment issues,” the SCJ release added.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, thanked the workers, the unions and the management of SCJ for their patience and committed his Ministry to ensuring that any outstanding issues, that the workers and the unions have, will be dealt with.