THE EDITOR, Sir:
IF THE representatives of the European Union (EU), who recently carried out a feasibility study on the Jamaican sugar industry, wish the 40,000 workers any good, they will not give us a single euro.
We, who depend on the sugar industry for our livelihood, do not need or require any funding; give us instead equipment. Over the years, we have had grants, loans and fundings from various bilateral and multilateral agencies, but this has not resulted in the non-closure of factories; it has not ensured that we produce sugar more efficiently or grow more cane or diversify.
What we need is for the EU to supply us with pumps, harvesters, tractors, boilers, mill rollers, etc., and as usual we will need to purchase spares as required from them. Please, we are begging and pleading with you, no grants, no loans, if you mean us any good.
The Member of Parliament for one St. Thomas constituency, the honourable James Robertson ,toured the St. Thomas Sugar Company for the first time, along with the EU team and expressed shock and awe at the appalling conditions we face on a daily basis. He couldn't believe the age of the equipment we were using to produce sugar. He needs to tour Worthy Park and Appleton and see the difference; we are working miracles with the resources we have in the publicly owned factories. Some of our equipment are museum pieces.
HYPOCRITES IN THE INDUSTRY
Many of those who claim to represent us in the sugar industry are hypocrites; there are union leaders who the nearest they come to a sugar factory is the workers and staff clubs. Many MPs with sugar factories in their constituencies have never toured or visited these places, yet they continue to employ most of their voters.
The EU representatives toured the mills and examined the boilers and all the equipment. We might not agree with their conclusions, but they were objective. Keep your money, give us equipment if you want to ensure our viability. Giving us cash is like giving us bird flu.
I am, etc.,
MARK CLARKE
Frome P.O.
Westmoreland
