Cane harvesters were yesterday urged to improve their attendance at the sugar estates since there is a low supply of canes, especially at the Enmore and La Bonne Intention (LBI) estates.
According to a release from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), at a the meeting which was called by the corporation’s board Chairman Dr Nanda Gopaul, and at which representatives of the two unions which represent sugar workers, GAWU and NAACIE and other senior managers of GuySuCo were present it was noted that attendance of workers at the estates has averaged about 57% resulting in low supply of canes.
The LBI and Enmore estates are the ones mostly affected where the factories ground 66 and 90 hours per week respectively. Only the Rose Hall and Blairmont estates have been able to achieve the desired 130 hours per week.
GuySuCo CEO, Paul Bhim pointed out that as at the weekend October 8th, some 1.3m tones of canes were left to be harvested and if the existing weather conditions permit, and ably supported by an improved attendance and productivity, the target of 264,000 could be easily achieved.
It was noted that if the current low turnout does not improve and there is the onset of the December/January rains, then there is the likelihood of canes being carried over to the 1st crop next year, which the corporation noted under any circumstance is most undesirable.
GAWU’s President Komal Chand requested that there be an early settlement to wages negotiations so that industrial conflicts do not affect harvesting of remaining canes. He expressed his desire that wage agreements this year not be settled by an arbitration tribunal.
Several issues including what the union representatives perceived to be a high income tax regime, prolonged delay in accessing wages in the commercial banks, poor coordination and use of workers’ councils, acute shortage of punts at Blairmont and Enmore estates were among the issue raised at the meeting.
Gopaul assured the meeting that all administrative irritants will be addressed and eliminated, and asserted that it is the responsibility of all to ensure that there is a ‘war’ on wastage and corruption. He also assured that workers’ councils will be properly coordinated and that their deliberations will be meaningful to the management of the estates.
He also charged managers to show respect to workers and those who act indifferently to be dealt with.
Dr Gopaul also expressed concern on poor performance at the LBI and Enmore estates, and urged workers at the estates to work assiduously to ensure sufficient canes are available to operate the factories at 130 hours per week.
