National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says there should not be any deduction from the second cane payment for all cane growers as they need the money to facilitate school preparations for their children and meet other expenses.
Prasad says data transfer and processing of relief for cane growers in Vanua Levu should not be used as an excuse by FSC to breach the Master Award and delay payment to growers in Viti Levu.
He says according to the Master Award, the 2nd payment shall be made in respect of each mill within five weeks of the end of crushing at that mill.
Prasad says Clark was misleading the people by not quoting the Master Award in its entirety.
He says the statement by Clark that only 50% of other authorized deductions for Vanua Levu growers from this payment will be made is not good enough.
While responding to Prasad, FSC CEO, Graham Clark says they do not respond to third party statements.
He says FSC has already announced that the second cane payment for the 2020 cane crop will be paid to all cane farmers by this Friday.
Clark had earlier said industry stakeholders had resolved to reduce cane payment deductions for Vanua Levu cane farmers by 50% in the second cane payment and that this reduction be recovered in the third cane payment for the 2020 season.
Farmers will receive $12.83 per tonne.
