Caracas, March 10: Venezuela’s government seized temporary control of two sugar mills Tuesday, accusing managers of hoarding a basic good and violating the labor rights of employees.
Commerce Minister Richard Canan said authorities were taking over management of the Santa Elena and Santa Clara mills in the central state of Portuguesa for 90 days ‘to guarantee the operations of the mills, so our people don’t go without sugar.’
Canan said inspectors found several tons of sugar in warehouses that ‘should be in distribution centers.’ He suggested the mills failed to ship the sugar on schedule — a violation of laws aimed at ensuring timely distribution of basic foods as a means protecting consumers.
Government inspectors claim
–Agencies