The Sugar Cane Growers Council is actively exploring the implementation of a dedicated superannuation savings scheme aimed at enhancing the long-term financial security for cane growers. The initiative revolves around discussions with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), with the goal of assessing the feasibility of a structured savings system that would allow contributions to be deducted directly from the cane payments received by growers.
Currently, while growers have the option to voluntarily join the FNPF, the Council believes that a more formalized structure would provide greater financial protection for over 10,000 active growers. The Council emphasizes that the regular cadence of cane payments presents a practical means of facilitating consistent savings for both growers and their families.
To ensure the proposal meets the needs of the industry, the Council plans to conduct consultations throughout various cane-growing districts to gather insights and feedback from growers. Additionally, the possibility of revising the Master Award may be considered to underpin the new framework while ensuring it remains fair and manageable.
As discussions progress, the Council is committed to engaging with key stakeholders and keeping growers informed about developments in this initiative. This step represents a positive move toward fostering financial stability within the sugar cane industry, aiming to secure a brighter future for growers and their families.
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