Lorry transport allowance verified
Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty has clarified that Seaqaqa farmers are not being victimised.
This after claims were made by Seaqaqa sugarcane farmers that they have been victimised because they receive less lorry transport allowance.
They further claimed that they bear high costs compared to Labasa farmers.
These claims were made during the National Sugar Sector Policy Consultations at Seaqaqa community hall in Macuata. “Farmers in Seaqaqa, I want to explain to you that you are not victimised as you are receiving the same benefit as other sugarcane farmers in Fiji,” Mr Chetty said.
“We have subsidiary for fertiliser and weedicides and given so many different kinds of grant to farmers to relieve the burden from your shoulders.
“Labour cost and transport cost is high in Seaqaqa and that is why you have high spending.” Meanwhile, Industrial Commissioner and Registrar to the Tribunal Timothy Brown informed the gathering that the lorry transport allowance was industry cost. “There is a formula we use to calculate lorry transport allowance and it was agreed by all,” Mr Brown said. Growers closer to mill will get lower transport allowance and those living furthest will get more. “If you want this to change you can give us your suggestion as to how to get it done.”
Claims
Aktar Hussain, a sugarcane farmer, said: “The diesel price has increased; price of good items had increased, 90 per cent of farmers in Seaqaqa have bank loans and price of spare parts have increased. “Labasa farmers are able to save $15 from their allowance and our pocket is empty. “Labourers run away from Seaqaqa, because when there is delay of cane payment we are not in a position to pay them.” Similar setiments were shared by Prakash Chandra, Mohammed Azim and Mohammed Jamal.