(Jamaica Gleaner) Scrap-metal dealers, who have been in limbo for the last several months, were left fuming on Monday as the Government unveiled tough new regulations for the trade, but left the partial ban in place.
Jonathan Aarons, who heads the Scrap Metal Federation of Jamaica, said his members are facing serious hardships and were expecting to hear that the partial ban imposed by the previous government was going to be lifted.
“We are quite upset with regard to the minister’s (Anthony Hylton, industry, investment and commerce) approach in not being deliberate and direct in his pronouncement as it relates to the scrap-metal industry,” Aarons said.
However, he said the federation is studying the new measures and will comment further.
Aarons’ comments came after Hylton announced tough new regulations that will govern the scrap-metal trade, but made it clear that a full reopening of the sector was still “months” away.
With the new measures, the minister said the Government was putting in place a system that is more rigorous and “far different from what existed before”.
