Farmers paid after NFU intervened

[posted 15 May 2009, 11.30]

Fiji Sugar Corporation was forced to pay the 4th cane payment to farmers on Friday 15th May as earlier promised, after NFU intervened.

The NFU intervention took place after general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry received numerous complaints from agitated farmers.

Earlier FSC had promised the payment for Friday but announced on Thursday that the payment would have to be deferred to later except for some farmers in Penang.

Cane farmers facing financial hardship following a very low 3rd cane payment had been anticipating the 4th payout  to meet general commitments and expenses related to preparations for harvesting with mills due to start rolling soon.

In a letter to FSC, Chaudhry said FSC's failure to meet its earlier promise was "most unsatisfactory".

He also asked why payment was being withheld when FSC had already been paid by sugar buyers Tate & Lyle for its last shipment before 30th April.

"Why is FSC holding on to growers' share of this money at a time when they are facing acute difficulties on account of some heavy deductions made from the 3rd cane payment to meet fertiliser dues?" Chaudhry asked.