Chairman of the SWRF Accounting Sub Committee responsible for the disbursement of $16 Million EC dollars to 2,311 ex sugar workers, Mr. Frank Maitland was the specially invited guest on Freedom Fm’s Issues on Thursday. Mr. Maitland used the opportunity to provide information to nationals at home and abroad, but in particular ex sugar workers and their families. Mr. Maitland pointed out how he received his mandate to work with the Sugar Workers Restoration Fund.
Mr. Maitland outlined the eligibility requirements and criteria for payments which he said were open to all ex sugar workers who ever worked in the industry.Maitland said the formula for payment was arrived at based on the length of employment and whether or not the applicant received severance payment in 2005-2006.
Mr. Maitland further pointed out that the families of deceased members also received payments, but that the process was now complete and no further funds were available to ex sugar workers who missed the registration process. He said that all of the $16 million dollars has been allotted to former sugar workers, with only the funds for deceased persons still to be disbursed.
When asked to give the details and name the individuals who recived the top echelon payments and give their tenure of service, Maitland declined. The Opposition has slammed the Committee for not providing information about criteria for eligibility at the start of the registration process, and has charged that some people were told that they were not eligible for payment