Sugar workers protest

Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton is seeking to reassure restive sugar workers that they will receive outstanding payments soon.



He says the sugar workers will receive those payments in another three months.



Hundreds of workers at the Bernard Lodge Estate in St. Catherine and Frome in Westmoreland today protested because of the non-payment of money owed to them.



They were promised payments today but were informed that payouts would be delayed because of several setbacks in the divestment of the country’s sugar assets.



The assets are to be handed over to Brazilian company, Infinity Bio Energy Limited.



The divestment should have been completed by today.



However, Dr. Tufton said the signing of the agreement was pushed back because of some unresolved procedural issues.



However, he would not provide details on the issues.



The agriculture minister said an agreement with Infiniti makes provisions for an additional 90 days to close the divestment deal.