Canegrowers in Fiji are to ask the Sugar Industry Tribunal to investigate what they say are the illegal actions of the Fiji Sugar Corporation.
Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
Earlier this month the Fiji government gave growers a top-up payment for the 2016 year, recognising the difficulties resulting from Cyclone Winston.
But the opposition National Federation Party said the Corporation then clawed much of this back, deducting loans and other charges from the amount.
The NFP's Jaganath Sami said it meant some growers got nothing from the final payment.
He said the Sugar Corporation could only deduct from payments made to farmers for their cane and this money does not fit that description.
"If this money was given to the farmers to recover from the cyclone damages and the loss of crop, so that they could continue with their normal maintenance, then it is very clear that this money is not defined as cane payment. This is a payment by the tax payers of this country, facilitated by government."
Mr Sami said some growers planned to approach the Sugar Industry Tribunal and have them adjudicate on the matter.
