Frankson
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
FUMING FROM comments reportedly questioning her credibility and the way she has been handling the backlog problems affecting manufacturers at the ports in recent time, Doreen Frankson, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, yesterday threatened to resign from her post.
"I would like you to know that the goons have come out today," she said at the JMA Board of Director's Luncheon in Kingston.
The "goons" says Ms. Frankson have slighted her efforts at resolving the problems facing manufacturers at the ports by referring to her among other things as "mischievous" after she outlined that the ports are having problems.
The feisty leader threatened to resign with immediate effect if she was given a no confidence vote by the JMA membership. She was however solidly backed to remain in the post.
"I would like to say to you today that there is a problem at the ports," she said in the run-up to her threat. And the JMA membership gave her a resounding "yes" in agreement. "Then this fight obviously is going to get nasty," she said. "I do not speak without facts. I do not speak without instructions from the membership."
FULL SUPPORT
Milverton Smith, one of the JMA's vice-presidents was in full support of Ms. Frankson. "Ms. Frankson's demand has always been straight forward and to the point and they have always been in the best interest of the JMA. We are in support of her efforts," he said.
"We are happy that she has reconsidered and has once again regained her composure," said another member who did not wish to be named. "This president speaks on facts and she is not going to make a statement that is misleading to her members and her board."
In the meantime, Ms. Frankson said that she has sought the ear of the Minister of Finance who has promised to intervene on behalf of the manufacturers.
Just days ago several manufacturers considered closing their businesses because they were unable to obtain imported raw materials due to the current backlog at the ports. Since then many have had to halt production and lay off workers.
