Parliamentary Representative for Constituency number 8, Eugene Hamilton, brought to the fore this week, another one of his initiatives that he has advocated for several years. 

He was speaking about the “Sugar Worker Holding Company” which is an initiative that when fully implemented can ensure that redundant sugar workers become financially independent pursuing their collective investments. 

While making his presentation on a local radio station, Hamilton explained that had his plan been given serious consideration and implemented, the proposed Sugar Worker Holding Company would have had as its shareholders, all of the former sugar workers, investing 20% of their estimated $44 million that was part of the payments for their redundancy. 

Hamilton explained that 20% or $8.8 million would have been the immediate capital base of the company and government would have then transferred one hundred acres of land to the company which was estimated at $5 million dollars capital gain, making the equity of that company roar towards $14 million EC dollars before planting a stake in the ground. 

He further explained that had that land transfer been what has become Kittitian Hill for example, the development taking place at that facility today would have been owned by the redundant sugar cane workers and that project could have been funded in the same way that the government has used SIDF to help foreigners to make millions from that development. 

“Today while the foreigners are expecting to rake in millions our redundant sugar workers are condemned to a life of poverty and perpetual slavery. Some have already used up their redundant income and may feel all hope is lost; but it is my view that there is still hope for our redundant sugar workers but not without a change of government.”