Dear Editor,
There has been a lot going on in the sugar industry over the past six years and we should all pay some attention since it is of national interest. The industry has been progressing in many ways, for example, the new Skeldon factory. However, when it comes to production, there are some shortfalls and this is affecting the industry.
The industry faced its worst times in 2005 when the floods hit the country. That disaster dropped production levels and many planted fields were destroyed. Since then, the number of problems has increased on the estates. However, the industry has come around and has been meeting targets but then came the industrial action by the GAWU workers. Strikes last week, strikes this week and maybe more strikes before the year comes to an end. This will definitely hamper production targets and can create a shortfall in the industry.
If things are not right, there are procedures to deal with them (grievance procedures) but these days, unlike in the ’80s workers are not adhering to the grievance procedures; they just make irrational decisions and call a strike. How will this benefit them and the industry? When this happens, the management and the workers take a much longer time to come to a positive conclusion, hence a longer time to get back into the fields.
We must keep in mind that the industry is very important for the country because it contributes between 17 and 18 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and provides employment for more than 30, 000 persons. GAWU needs to make more informed decisions for the workers that will ensure benefits for them and GuySuCo, as a concerted effort is need to take the industry forward.
Yours faithfully
Ganesh Singh
