Sheena Gayle, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Frome sugar factory in Frome, Westmoreland. - Photo by Sheena Gayle

WESTERN BUREAU:

EMPLOYEES WHO have devoted more than a decade of service to the Frome sugar factory in Westmoreland are now unsure of their future within the organisation, following its recent divestment.

After 27 years of service in the sugar industry, Delroy Lindo reflects with much anxiety on his next move, should he be among the list of persons made redundant.

"Right now, if I become redundant, I would have to look a next job," the 53-year-old crane operator relates to The Sunday Gleaner on a visit to Frome recently.

As a contingency plan to combat possible unemployment, Lindo hopes to venture into agriculture with his redundancy compensation in order to continue to provide for his family of three.

part of family

According to Lindo, working within the sugar industry has been a part of his family's history, as his mother, father and grandparents worked on a sugar estate, and for him there were "no regrets" with his decision to follow the same path.

"Wait and see!" is what tractor operator Desmond Banther remarked when asked about the mood among his colleagues about their job security at the company.

He added: "Everybody have to just wait until we hear what the new management have to say about our job."

Banther, who has given 33 years of service to the factory, is optimistic that he will retain his job despite the new management slated to take over the company.

As a veteran sugar-cane worker, he recalled that "this job provided for me, my wife and son over the years", and he is unsure of what his future would be if he were laid off.

'a good move'

Meanwhile, Roy Saunders who has been employed at the sugar factory since 1974, views the change as "a good move" that will encourage more production.

"Wi want to maintain the production. If the thing (sugar factory) nuh divest, then production will go down and then wi won't have any income," the grab operator states.

He maintains that Frome sugar factory is the only major production company in the parish that employs over 1,800 employees, and it is in the best interest of the parish that this production continue.

"Mi not only looking out fi mi own interest, but for all of us here in Westmoreland. If dem choose to let mi go, I caan complain. But I want this business to continue so that even my children can benefit from it one day," Saunders says.

He states that some employees were given one month off and will return to work on August 7, when they will be advised about the status of their jobs.