Cane harvesters who were transferred from the Rose Hall Estate as a result of its closure are now refusing to return to work there as they believe that they deserve some sort of compensation to do so and for sticking with the industry.
The workers who went on strike yesterday morning were transferred from the Rose Hall Estate to the Albion and Blairmont estates as they were not given severance when operations were shut down under the previous government. However, the workers yesterday refused to head to work and protested at the Canje Turn where they called for a meeting with President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
One worker, Denis who was transferred from the Rose Hall Estate to the Blairmont Estate, stated they were informed yesterday that they would be returning to the Rose Hall Estate sometime in September.
“Some was transferred to the Blairmont Estate and some was transferred to the Albion Estate and it is unfair to us to go back to an estate wha already close down, pay off and reopen back now… We the frustrated workers out here requesting to see the Excellency the President and the Vice President Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo fah come and solve this problem here for us.”
Denis, who resides on the East Bank of Berbice, said that the workers are extremely frustrated as they believe that the short end of the stick is always given to them.
“I work at Rose Hall Estate, everyone else was severed, I get 21 years of service and it’s unfair to me to go from estate to estate and get nothing… I have seven kids and I is the bread winner for my family”, he said.
According to the workers, they raised the issue several times at various levels of the industry, however, they believe only the government would be able to assist at this stage.
“We are asking His Excellency to come out so we can voice our concern and we the frustrated workers out here is not cutting no more cane until they come and solve this problem”, one said.
Another worker, Omadatt Seecharran, who was transferred to the Albion Estate explained that they were at a meeting yesterday where they were told that 140 cane harvesters will be taken back from the Albion Estate while 130 will have to return from the Blairmont Estate so as to commence harvesting at the Rose Hall Estate which is expected to open sometime at the end of the month.
According to Seecharran, after this was relayed to the workers they decided to strike as they believe some sort of package should be offered to them to be transferred back to the estate.
As of yesterday, the workers were adamant that the strike would continue until the government officials meet with them.
