Kamal Iyer
Sugarcane cutters take a break to
quench their thirst. Picture: FILE
In searing heat and sweltering temperatures at Malele, Tavua just after midday on Thursday, April 8, 2021, a group of cane growers decided they have had enough of broken promises, falsehoods, fake assurances and freebies to buy their respect and dignity during general election fever. “We are broken; we are crippled; the Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) and Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) are toothless and work against us (growers) despite the fact that they should be working for us; we demand SCGC elections”, one said. “We demand at least $20 per tonne of cane as fourth cane payment in May to help us prepare for harvesting and planting new crop; and we will not sit quietly and accept any excuse or refusal of our demands by government because it will mean our demise as growers”. Such was their resolve. In a nutshell, ‘Give us what is ours and stop fooling around because we have had enough’.