THE EDITOR, Sir:THE 2003-2004 sugar crop has started at Frome. There are Cubans and Guyanese here to help us lift our productivity, the workers are working relentlessly for the success of the crop.
However, there is one problem which we face and that is unscheduled burning of cane. There are people who burn the cane for personal reasons, we the workers are appealing to the community if you know of anyone committing such acts please help us in asking them to desist from such practice.
When we burn the cane everyone loses; the cutters lose in that there is less cane to cut; the factory workers lose because there is less cane to grind; the taximen lose when the crop is short because fewer passengers are there to go to work; the cook shops in the area lose because less food will be sold; the shopkeepers feel it also. All these people will find it difficult to send their children to school.
On the whole, the country feels it because when we don't make enough sugar to supply the world market it means less foreign exchange. When we can't supply the domestic market, government has to import which means extra spending.
While the workers are working relentlessly to improve efficiency and productivity, let us encourage everyone not to burn the cane and let us work together for the uplifting of the sugar industry and a better Jamaica.
I am, etc.,
ANDREW ANDERSON
Chief Union
Delegate (NWU)
SCJ Frome Division
