By Mayer Matalon, Gleaner WriterDURING TALKS on Friday with the leadership of the All Island Cane Farmers Association, chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Bruce Golding warned that the industry was on the verge of destruction and implored cane farmers and government to "do everything in our power to optimise output".
"We have a serious threat hanging over our heads," he said, pointing to the proposal by the European Union to remove subsidy from sugar imported from African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
POOR COMMUNICATION
He argued that there was "tremendous room for improvement in efficiency" in the sugar industry, noting that the cost of production needs to be reduced to 15 cents per pound from the current 27 cents per pound. To make the point Golding pointed to the cost of production in the sugar producing countries of South America, which is as low as 12-14 cents per pound. Mr. Golding believes that with the right expertise Jamaica can achieve the same efficiency, adding that if the expertise is not available locally, foreigners should be hired. He also suggested that sugar factories be used to carry out other economic activities during the prolonged off season.
President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), Ruddy Spencer identified the problem of poor communication. "There is a lack of communication with the workers. If better communication is established to inform workers of the situation the industry is in, a stronger effort would be made to become efficient," said Spencer.
