Dear Editor,
The recent arbitration in the sugar industry is a real slap in the faces of all the sugar workers of this country; a 6% increase is a serious blow to the working poor who struggle each day with the most difficult and stressful jobs in this nation. Guysuco has already received over $4 billion in loans from the government and continues to mismanage and mishandle the workers’ interests and indeed, the nation’s interests. Every day that passes, our country loses money due to the strikes, slow-downs and the frustration of the workers in the sugar industry, and the Guyanese taxpayer is realizing that the US$180M borrowed to finance the Skeldon sugar complex will come back to haunt our children who will have to pay back this huge debt for a ‘dead duck’ instead of a ‘golden goose’ investment. This money could have been used to really rehabilitate the sugar industry while investing in new agricultural areas to create job opportunities.
The sugar workers and their families have to realize that the albatross around their necks which keeps them in perpetual financial bondage is the same government they voted for − the same government which brought in the horrendous 16% VAT, has failed them in terms of fiscal responsibility ($600M to repair the harbour bridge; $700M on Carifesta; millions on helicopters which are inadequate; millions on travel and allowances by government officials and the list can go on and on) and has colluded with the leadership of GAWU to deny the sugar workers a good and prosperous future.
How come the President fired Mr Ronald Alli from GPL as that company faced serious problems, and he keeps Mr Alli in place while the sugar industry falls apart and the workers cry out for help? How come the Minister of Agriculture is contented with the arbitration results? How come the Berbice ferry crossing is in shambles, the water and light situation is in shambles − especially in Berbice − and there is nothing doing at Black Bush Polder which should be a breadbasket? The answer to these questions all lead back to what President Cheddi always criticized in government: square pegs in round holes. President Cheddi is in heaven and in heaven one looks down to see what is indeed happening to one’s life-work; and as he looks down at the mess this government has created in the sugar industry and in this country as a whole, I know that he is angry because the sugar industry was his roots and his political blood-line.
The workers in the sugar industry have got to open their eyes and understand that just as they stood up over the decades to injustice and exploitation, they have to pull the wool from their eyes and see clearly that this government is not the government of Cheddi Jagan; things have changed and the principles of that great man’s life have been chucked aside and locked away in this government’s agenda to increase taxation and spending while borrowing so much to leave our children broke and destitute. They only open the locked vault of President Cheddi’s political attributes during election time in order to fool the poor workers of the sugar industry into voting for them so that the vicious cycle of square pegs in round holes can be propagated.
There are many answers to solving the crisis in the sugar industry, but the need for change is apparent. Some will say that we need to contract the industry and specialize in organic and white sugar; others might feel that we should abandon sugar and really diversify into other agricultural fields of endeavour. The bottom line is, however, that this government does not institute policies which will create jobs and expand the role of the private sector, so any conjecture about fixing any part of our economy is useless as long as we keep electing this government. The sugar workers have to realize that in reality it is their vote which keeps this government in place, not only to weaken their own standard of living and limit their children’s future, but to cripple the rest of our fragile economy with square pegs in round holes.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
“President Cheddi is in heaven and in heaven one looks down to see what is indeed happening to one’s life-work….”
More likely, Joey, his soul has already been reincarnated and living in some kid’s body. That lucky kid will surely grow up with a sense of decency and may be a great person, too.
Hi Joey, you still alive ???, why are you locking yourself out
of the spot light joey ???, are you running in 2011 ???.
Happy Thanksgiving my brother.
hey joey, you think you could do better? then run for office next election.
Yes, Cheddi is looking down from heaven and, what is he seeing? He is seeing not only the failure of the Government; he is seeing those hard working sugar industry workers who overwhelming voted for the PPP, not because there was a policy or policies to which they were attracted, but to the “bottom house” concomitant goal of voting the party of Cheddie. And yes, they will continue to vote for the party of Cheddie, even if he and his partner, who is also in heaven come to the conclusion that change is needed. You speak of job creation, tell us what job design interventions will be successful by the Government? You and many others look to the Government as the authority primarily responsible for job creation; its small business Joey. The Government can help by creating the climate for business expansion and job creation. Here is where I agree with you square pegs in round hole. So, what is the solution? I suggest that you start with those “bottom house” meetings. Get the young people to rally identifiable village leaders, who are really ready for change and tell them that not voting for the PPP or the PNC or any other party should not be predicated on race, but on bread and butter issues. They will understand; they understood when they made roti with casava flour and dahl with black eye peas. ISNM
Yes, Joey, your father probably is disappointed in you by now. Get out of your cocoon and let us all do something real positive anout this and myriads of other situations that are sucking the life-blood of this nation dry. If we cannot find ways to make these square pegs round enough to fit the round holes then we must have all of them replaced. Obama is doing it right now and so can you with our support. There are much more qualified people in this country who are ready to stand behind you to rescue this sinking ship from the hands of incompetence. There are much more overseas just waiting for such an opportunity too.
Square pegs in round holes are a fixture of the Guyana society.
You have described the totality of life in Guyana in very few words.
If you allow a square peg to sit in a naught as head of state then what do you expect ,stop whining the culture in guyana is cancerous our country is cursed and we dont seem to give a flying fish until we feel the squeeze personally.so shut the fish up.Jonestown left our country in a mess ;a mess that noone will ever be able to fixe its the curse of “JONESTOWN”
who is putting pegs in who (what) holes?
HA