Paul-Andre Walker, Rural Editor

Tufton: I am certain the interests of workers have been taken into consideration. - File

While Jamaica Sugar Cane Growers' Association Chairman Allan Rickards says he has a fallback plan if divestment talks with Brazilian company Infinity Bio-Energy flounder, Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is remaining mum on the issue.

According to Tufton, talking about an alternative strategy to privatisation of the Sugar Company of Jamaica through Infinity Bio could be harmful to negotiations.

The privatisation includes unloading five factories: Frome, Monymusk, Bernard Lodge, Long Pond and Duckenfield.

Talk of a plan b surfaced after Government failed to meet a September 30 deadline for inking a deal with Infinity Bio, after which state officials pointed to a 90-day window from the initial date they announced.

A delicate place

"The discussions are continuing. They are at a fairly delicate place right now, but you must remember that we have 90 days from September 30 to complete them," said Tufton.

The agriculture minister has sought to calm fears that the deal might fall through, saying that dialogue was ongoing.

Tufton was responding to the anxiety of sugar workers who are now in a quandary after a redundancy package they were to receive on September 30 was not forthcoming.

For them, 90 days is a long time.

A shop owner in Duckenfield, St Thomas, for instance, complained that there were now many sugar workers who were unable to finance their debt, which also ground commerce to a halt.

Tufton has argued that the Government could not afford to subsidise the sugar industry as it did in 2007 to the tune of $3 billion.

Even if the divestment talks are successful, the future of sugar workers who have long complained of inadequate facilities and amenities remains uncertain.

"I envision major changes, but changes that will benefit all concerned," said a hopeful Tufton.

"I can't speak to specifics as the new company will have to think of the direction they want to take, but I am certain the interests of workers have been taken into consideration," he said.

Divestment concerns

There are other questions surrounding the divestment.

Some quarters of the business sector say throwing in Jamaica's first and only ethanol plant with the sale of government-run sugar factories is a mistake, arguing that the Government would be losing out on its investment, which is poised to churn out huge profits. The Government would only benefit from its 25 per cent stake in the plant.

Those profits and the success of divestment are hinged on the country's ability to produce sugar cane at levels unseen in recent times.

"We'll need to use more land and improve the use of technology," said Tufton.

"Infinity has a four-man team in Jamaica. They are assessing factories and putting together a development programme," he added.

Tufton went on to explain that the ability of privately owned sugar factories to provide 50 per cent of the sugar cane Infinity Bio will require would also play a big part in the success of the latest plan to resuscitate the ailing sugar industry.

Do you believe the divestment of the sugar industry will benefit workers? Email your opinion to editor@gleanerjm.com.