A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the closure of sugar mills will be signed between the Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited (FSC) and Fiji Cane Lorry Association on June 16.
Rarawai farmer Jasveer Lal said the MOA was an agreement between the lorry association and FSC.
“We have a meeting with FSC next week Tuesday, and will be signing the MOA,” he said.
“It’s nothing new because most of the things were happening before but when the FijiFirst government came into power, there were many things that were changed and farmers were left behind.
“So, this year we are looking forward to signing a MOA between truck union drivers and FSC; it’s regarding mill stoppage.
“When a sugar mill is being closed, the answers given by FSC to farmers that it will stop for five to six hours.
“So, our concern is why are the farmers being penalised when it’s the problem of FSC because they do not conduct maintenance on time.
“And why are the truck drivers being penalised because of FSC; the MOA will prevent farmers and truck drivers from being penalised.”
Mr Lal claimed there were no proper facilities for lorry drivers at the sugar mills.
“If you go to FSC Rarawai Mill there is no proper seats for the drivers who are spending so many hours there and secondly no proper toilets, no meal allowance, so all these things will now be in the pipeline.
“We will be doing it this year, signing the MOA between FSC and truck union, so that everything will be in line and no one can breach this MOA.”
