THE Fiji Military Forces warned yesterday that the sugarcane farmers should
harvest their cane or face prosecution under martial law. Army spokesman Captain
Howard Politini said the head of the military government, Commodore Frank Bainimarama,
has appealed to farmers to start the harvest.
"We are waiting for the farmers to go ahead," said Captain Politini.
"We have the option to order them to harvest." Captain Politini said
the army can prosecute farmers for refusing to abide by the order under martial
law. Fiji Sugar Commission chairman Gerald Barrack said any further delay in
harvesting will have a great impact on the country's economy.
He said all authorities dealing with the sugar industry are monitoring the
political situation and assessing its effects on the industry, which is the
country's biggest revenue earner. On threats by the European Union to stop buying
sugar from Fiji, Mr Barrack said that the Commission has not been officially
informed of any such move.
"The Commission can't say anything on the EU's decision to stop buying
our sugar because the Commission and the EU havn't had any formal talks yet,"
he said. Asked if the Commission is supporting the harvest boycott by the farmers,
Mr Barrack said that the Commission is not aware of the protest but believes
that some farmers are protesting against rebel leader George Speight holding
farmers' leaders captive in Parliament.
"I know that farmers are not harvesting because some are protesting but
also the whole operation would have been affected because of the curfew, as
we operate for 24 hours," he said. Meanwhile, Fiji may lose about $300
million in sugar earnings if the boycott continues.
The two main sugar unions, the Fiji Cane Growers Association and the National
Farmers Union, have boycotted the harvest, demanding the immediate release of
the hostages. Cane Growers Association general secretary Jagannath Sami said
yesterday that it is the farmers' own decision to stop harvesting.
"I must emphasise that the farmers are doing this of their own free will
and, believe me, no one is forcing them," he said. "They have the
courage to do it and they are doing it to make a point, and they have a right
to do it," he said.
"The farmers are demanding the immediate release of the hostages because
their main concern right now is the release of the democratically-elected Prime
Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his Cabinet." He said that out of the 23,000
cane-farmers, the unions have 50 per cent support. He hopes that more farmers
will join the protest.
"Many would be questioning the time limit of the protest and how long
the farmers can afford to go on," he said. "But the point is some
thing's got to be done to uphold rule of law and order in the country. In this
case, the farmers are prepared to sacrifice and fight for the right.
"This political crisis will leave many families to suffer the huge financial
burden." He said that the delayed harvest may bring substantial damage
to the economy. Some effects include devaluation later in the year, fall in
price of cane, and limited market for Fiji sugar. "I don't blame the European
Union for threatening to stop buying sugar because they have all the right to
protest," Mr Sami said.
"I mean democracy and the value of human rights do mean something to them
and, if they are prepared to do it, I don't see why farmers can't express their
rights by boycotting." Mr Sami said that another reason some farmers are
hesitant to harvest their cane is the fear for their safety. "There is
no law and order in this country and anything can happen, so who will take the
responsibility of their safety when they move around from their farms to their
homes?"
He said that there are 4.5 million tonnes of standing cane, which means 400,000
tonnes of sugar is in question during the political unrest.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Trade Union Congress general secretary, Felix Anthony,
said that the farmers' commitment to protest is widely admired nationally and
internationally. "I salute the farmers who have decided to protest and
voice their rights and for the rule of law and order. If they can do it ...
I think every worker should consider protesting," he said.
"FTUC never asked the farmers for this boycott and people should understand
that they are doing it of their own decision and, of course, they have the support
of their union leaders." Mr Anthony said that the congress is monitoring
developments and will seek a national protest, if there is no genuine improvement.
"I must say that we, as workers and people of Fiji, have to make some
sacrifices for the betterment of this country and we, the trade union leaders,
are also prepared to go through the financial sacrifices together with all the
workers, if the situation doesn't improve," Mr Anthony said.
Fiji's Daily Post
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