NTUCB Joins BSCFA’s Call for Urgent Sugar Impasse Solution

Turning back to developments in the north where sugar industry remains in crisis at the start of a new crop.  Late this afternoon, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, joined by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, held a press conference while Prime Minister Briceño and his team continued to meet in a closed-door session in Yo Creek Village.  As we’ve reported, the B.S.C.F.A. has received the full support of the umbrella organization and today they called on the Government of Belize to broker a solution for the impasse with the miller.

Javier Keme, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association

“We have given the opportunity for the government to do its responsibility and they have failed.  Now the BSCFA is embarking on a strategy to seek other support, asking the support of the whole nation to be in solidarity with the effort because today it’s BSCFA and tomorrow it can be you.  That is something we need to have there that in order for the Belizeans to survive any tribulation we have to be united and that’s the call of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association to everybody, to all Belizeans and especially to our brothers and sisters from the other producer organizations.  What we are doing is not for the members of the BSCFA only, it’s for every person.  It’s for every one of our sons and daughters and grandsons and granddaughters and we are sure that everybody in this town, in Orange Walk Town that’s hearing these words and we also call them out in solidarity for this movement because the town that benefits most from the proceeds of this industry is this town, Orange Walk.  So we call on everyone to support this cause because this is not a cause for one, it’s a cause for the entire country of Belize.”

Luke Martinez, President, NTUCB

“It can’t always be in favor of the capitalists.  There is no capital without human.  None.  If indeed all of the associations decide, not only BSCFA, decide tomorrow that they are not going to deliver any cane, you think any sugar is going to be milled?  You think anybody is going to be able to get any money?  So there is no capital, you put that in your pipe and smoke it, no capital without human.  There isn‘t capital without human and you have to respect that.  So prime minister, and cabinet, once again we are imploring upon you to look into this issue and please let‘s rescue this situation.  The sugar industry is a very important industry for the economy.  This industry brings foreign exchange to our economy.  This industry is part of our social construct.”