Cane cutters strike for better COVID-19 protections at Albion estate

The workers during their protest at Canje Turn, East Canje Berbice yesterday.

As Guyana observed Labour Day, hundreds of cane cutters on Saturday morning went on strike to demand that COVID-19 safety measures be strictly enforced at the Albion Estate in Berbice, following news that at least one of them had tested positive for the virus. 

Many of the workers, who gathered at the Canje Turn yesterday morning, told Sunday Stabroek that they were worried about possibly infecting their families at home. They said they decided to speak out yesterday after there were reports on Thursday that some workers had tested positive and those who came in contact with them had not been formally notified of whether they were cleared to work or not.