Dear Editor,
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was indeed surprised to learn of the new positions of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) that were revealed through a letter from the corporation’s Senior Communications Officer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas that appeared in the August 21 edition of Stabroek News.
Through that letter, Ms Thomas informs the public that GuySuCo received two letters from our union dated August 15 and 17, 2016 regarding the East Demerara Estate. Of significance, just days prior to the letter, GuySuCo asserted in the August 17 Stabroek News that no letters were received from GAWU. From none to two letters is real progress and an accomplishment in a matter of days.
Moreover, our union, in its letter to the press on August 19, did not say that its correspondence was restricted to matters regarding Enmore and LBI Estates. We said and maintain that over the last few months we have written to GuySuCo no less than twelve items of correspondence to which we have not even gotten an acknowledgement. Those letters addressed various matters of concern, and some were dated May 18, June 28, and July 7, 20, 28 and 31, 2016. We hope that this puts to rest the matter.
Regarding the workers of Enmore and LBI Estate, our union wrote to GuySuCo since July 31, 2016 seeking a meeting to discuss the concerns of the workers. Our letter was neither acknowledged nor was any meeting held. Our correspondence preceded the workers’ protest and strike actions.
Our union was also accused of encouraging workers to take strike action. Really, the corporation should ask itself that given the long period between the end of the first crop and the commencement of the second crop this year, a period characterized by low earnings and no earnings for some, why workers would want to strike as soon as the crop commenced. Certainly, the actions taken by the workers were and are being motivated by the new uncaring attitude adopted by the corporation to its employees as well as inadequate compensatory payments for the extra efforts required to undertake tasks in many cane fields where conditions are not normal. It would be useful to note that the two cropping periods have declined from about thirty-five weeks per annum a few years ago, to as low as twenty-three weeks in some estates. The large drop is attributed to the absence of enough canes, which explains the low first crop sugar production recorded.
Quiet relevantly, Ms Thomas has drawn attention to the importance of the sugar industry to the Guyanese people. Though we believe many more Guyanese depend on the industry taking into account the sugar workers and their families as well as shopkeepers, vendors, taxi and minibus operators, suppliers of materials and services, among others, we, nevertheless, share the view that the industry is important for such and other reasons. GuySuCo draws attention to the vibrancy of the sugar communities during the cropping periods. We share this view too. Thus, we find it inconceivable that given these truths, GuySuCo and the government are bent on pursuing their decision concerning the closure of Wales Estate. For the communities around Wales Estate the social vibrancy may soon be replaced by gloom and unimaginable hardship for the residents. We again urge that this unfortunate and short-sighted decision be reversed.
Our union will continue to resist this closure and to struggle to protect workers’ interests as well as the general interest of those others who depend on the industry. We repeat our belief that the industry can overcome its present challenges. Dr James Rose, who opened the GAWU’s 21st Congress, reminded us that the industry, throughout its long history, has faced many severe challenges which were overcome through creative and unorthodox thinking. Such an approach is needed once more. We, therefore, reiterate our stance that co-operation not acrimony is required and again urge the corporation to end its hostile and confrontational stance which has developed over the last few months.
Yours faithfully,
Seepaul Narine
General Secretary
