It was quite interesting to note the recent protest action by workers at the Forestry Division against the setting up of a Forestry Authority.

It was deja vu as it was the same response to the plan to replace the Board of Inland Revenue and Customs with a “Revenue Authority” a few years ago.

I located the draft bill that was prepared by the Conservator of Forests and the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Housing and the Environment, who was once the Conservator of Forests.

There are serious implications with this planned entity, not only for the workers but also the general public.

The new bill proposes that it will be necessary to obtain a licence to own a chainsaw as well as to obtain forest products.

These licences will only be granted by the board of directors of the authority.

Another point is that all workers, both permanent and temporary, will be sent home. If the board wishes to rehire a worker it is wholly up to them.

That is a recipe for corruption. The proposed bill states that the board alone is responsible for hiring workers. I smell another UDeCOTT.

Sending almost 2,500 people on the breadline is a disaster. Add their families to that figure and we have almost 10,000 people affected.

Having worked closely with the Forestry Division over the last 25 years, I can say this move is a backward step.

The Forestry Division is filled with determined, hard-working officers who brave rain, snake bites, floods, forest fires and other hazards to get their job done. I know this personally.

To the workers of the division, stand up and fight for your livelihood. Your jobs are being jeopardised by a few people who don't care about you or your families.

J Laahm

via e-mail