The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) locomotive drivers are being scrutinized for alleged misconduct related to office abuse. It has been reported that some drivers may be consuming kava during their work hours. This issue was highlighted by farmers from the Wainikoro Sector in Labasa, who brought it to the attention of Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for Sugar and Multi-Ethnic Affairs.
Minister Singh expressed his zero tolerance toward FSC workers consuming kava while on duty. “My ministry and FSC will not tolerate such misuse and behaviors,” he stated. Some farmers have claimed that certain drivers may be delaying train trips to Wainikoro for transporting sugarcane due to kava consumption.
Additionally, the ministry is currently looking into a serious accident that occurred at Lausa, Tavua, on Wednesday, and Mr. Singh is awaiting feedback from the FSC regarding this incident. In a bid to enhance monitoring of locomotive drivers, he has requested the installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices in locomotives.
“This will help track the locations of both drivers and locomotives at any given time,” Mr. Singh explained. “We aim for our locomotives to reach remote farms on schedule to maximize sugarcane transportation to the mill.”