Mechanical Harvesters Technician Concern

‘Even if problems occur after three years, there are no qualified technicians in Fiji to fix the problem, which means, the operator has to wait.’

The Vanua Levu Mechanical Harvester Operators Association says there are no qualified technicians in Fiji to attend to mechanical harvester problems.

This, the association said, was a concern. Association’s treasurer Mohammed Rafiq said the only technicians were from India.

During their meeting on Wednesday, members said this was a national issue as crushing season began next month. “There are about 36 harvesters in Vanua Levu and all repair and maintenance work are done by the Indian technicians as the machines were bought from India,” Mr Rafiq said.

“There are a few individuals who bought these harvesters at their own cost, while some cooperatives were assisted by the Government. 50 per cent of the total harvesting is done by mechanical harvesters as there is an ongoing labour shortage in the North.”

Harvesters have a two to three years warranty. Only qualified technicians can fix mechanical problems.

“Even if problems occur after three years, there are no qualified technicians in Fiji to fix the problem which means, the operator has to wait.”

He said the association had passed some resolutions for the crushing season.

“All the operators will provide us their financial report by next week and we are going to compile it with our letter of request to Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC),” he said.

“We are going to request FCCC to review the regulatory price for one tonne of cane which has been $17:50 VIP for three years.”

Members suggested to have an increase to $23.

Reasons for this include: increase in fuel price, and mechanical harvester’s spare parts price, and the drivers were told to provide 20 per cent of their annual income to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) from last year, which means their wages have to be reviewed.

The association will request FCCC to waive the 20 per cent deduction by FRCS because the owners bear a lot of cost to run their business.

“Apart from providing wages to the drivers, the owner provides accommodations, arranges two labourers to work with the driver and transport to deliver mechanical harvesters to and from the farms,” Mr Rafiq said.

FCCC chief executive officer Joel Abraham said the association was free to make submissions and they would follow the process to review them.

Photo: Shratika Naidu From Left: Vanua Levu Mechanical Harvester Operators Association secretary Mohammed Rafiq, president Aiyub Khand and treasurer Mohammed Rafiq during 2020 pre-crush meeting at the Labasa Muslim Primary School in Labasa on May 7,2020.