According to research funded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) the closure of four sugar estates under the APNU+AFC government severely com-promised the livelihoods of the laid off workers leading to increased instances of suicide, alcohol consumption and crime.
The same research however cautioned that these workers should be consulted on ways to create sustainable and secure livelihoods since reopening these estates without a clear diversification plan will create neither.
“Reopening sugar factories will address livelihoods but livelihood sustainability will not be assured if GuySuCo remains primarily in the business of selling raw sugar at market prices”, the report notes, adding that conducting a comprehensive survey and scenario analysis of the needs and expectations of sugar workers affected by the closure of the sugar estates might be appropriate.
