3 Jun 2008

DIFFERENCES OVER BOREHOLE UPKEEP

A committee put in place to oversee the upkeep of the Fairtrade funded borehole sparked controversy when they demanded some MK50 per household every month to be used for buying spare parts for the borehole in case of break downs.
The committee chairperson was told off by angry workers who were coming from work -tired.
''Don't you know that we pluck quality tea which the company sells on the FT market in order for us to enjoy such services as water? Who are you to demand money? Unfortunately this man is a nonworker from the nearby Magara Trading Centre. Meanwhile, the committee has been suspended for a while to try and give a breather while we reconsider the strategy.

SATEMWA JOINT BODY SETS A STRATEGY TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER USING FAIRTRADE PREMIUM

As it very apparent that there is going to be a maize shortage, the JB has been asked by workers to buy maize and keep in readiness for the lean period. Using part of the FT Premium a budget has been drawn to buy at least 2000 x 50kg bags of maize to be sold to workers and members of the community at cost as it might be difficult to buy at the market price come say December.
The idea has been supported by many.
'We shall try to maintain quality so that we maintain the market, this is very good said one lady tea plucker Miss Kamwezi of our Satemwa division'.
To Satemwa management, this means that they will be faced with a challange of having to create jobs come the stapple food lean period as many people will be coming to seek employment.