Disgruntled sugar workers at the LBI Estate called off a brief strike action yesterday following negotiations with GuySuCo and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).
Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the corporation, Paul Bhim led a delegation of officials to meet with the union and the group of cane harvesters. The workers commenced industrial action on Thursday citing their dissatisfaction with working conditions and wages, among other things.
GuySuCo in a press statement yesterday, said one of the issues raised was the rate of pay for clearing obstacles (shrubs) in the fields during harvesting. The corporation said the workers agreed to resume work today following the discussions.
According to the corporation, the workers were encouraged to solve their problems through dialogue with officials before resorting to strike action; so as to ensure that opportunity days for harvesting are not lost, more so because of the current weather pattern. Bhim, the statement said, also assured the workers that his office is always open to address their concerns.
GuySuCo said too that Lucien Pierre, a representative of the workers, expressed his appreciation for the timely intervention of the senior officials at the corporation to address the workers concerns.
Among those who accompanied Bhim were Deputy Chief Executive Officer Rajaindra Singh; acting Head of Industrial Relations Francis Carryl; Board of Director Member J.B. Raghurai; General Manager of Agriculture Services Raymond Sangster; and Estate Manager of LBI Kissoon Singh.
