In a bold move, Government Senator and Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Phillip Edward Alexander, has called on Massy Stores to remove Blue Waters products from their shelves. This demand arises amid allegations of racism linked to the brand. Alexander’s challenge draws upon a precedent set by Massy Stores when they removed Ramsaran’s Dairy Products in 2020 following a racist incident.
Alexander cited the previous boycott as a measure of the supermarket chain’s commitment to corporate responsibility. “I remember when Massy pulled Ramsaran’s products off the shelves because a relative made a racist comment on social media,” stated Alexander. He warned that failing to act similarly in the current situation could portray Massy as endorsing one-sided racism.
The 2020 incident involved Naila Ramsaran, a family member and employee of Ramsaran’s Dairy Products, who faced backlash for derogatory comments made on social media. Her remarks, which compared political supporters to “cockroaches,” led to widespread public outrage and a petition to boycott the brand.
As a result of the controversy, several major supermarket chains, including Massy Stores, ceased stocking Ramsaran’s products. The company responded by firing Ramsaran and issuing a formal apology to distance itself from her statements. This historical context adds weight to Alexander’s current demands.
Alexander’s call for action challenges Massy Stores to maintain consistency in its corporate practices. As of now, Massy has yet to respond to the senator’s public challenge, leaving the outcome uncertain.
