Cane harvesters who were transferred from the Rose Hall Estate as a result of its closure are continuing to strike as they are refusing to return to work there without any sort of compensation which they believe they deserve at this stage for sticking with the industry.
The workers who went on strike on Wednesday morning and voiced their concerns as they gathered at the Canje Turn for the last three mornings decided yesterday to march from Canje to the New Amsterdam Freedom House where they stood for several hours refusing to leave before they met with an official.
Region Six Chairman, David Armogan eventually visited the location and met with the cane harvesters where he asked them about their issue. The chairman told the workers that he was there to listen to their grievance which he would then take to his “bosses” as he is in no position to make any decision concerning the matter.
The workers relayed to Armogan that they believe they deserve some sort of compensation before moving back to the Rose Hall Estate. Most called for severance packages to be given out after which they will seek employment at the Rose Hall Estate as cane harvesters instead of being transferred without any compensation.
One worker who was transferred from the Rose Hall Estate to the Blairmont Estate, had explained that they were informed on Tuesday that they would be returning to the Rose Hall Estate sometime in September.
He had said, “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.”
However, Armogan yesterday told the workers that it was relayed to him from the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha that the transfer would be optional, explaining that if they wanted to remain at the estates they were transferred to they would have the option to do so.
However, the workers stressed that they want to return to the Rose Hall Estate but with a package.
As such, Armogan informed them that he would relay this information to his hierarchy in the government as the workers stressed that they would continue the strike until the matter is resolved.
Based on information gathered, 120 transferred cane harvesters were on strike from the Albion Estate, while 95 were on strike from the Blairmont Estate.
However, works continued at both estates with cane harvesters showing up at the Albion Estate totalling 563 and Blairmont 308. At the Albion Estate yesterday, 434 punts were filled, while at Blairmont 197 punts were loaded.
Albion’s target this week is 1400 tons of sugar, while Blairmont’s target is 890. As of yesterday, Albion had completed 857 tonnes of sugar so far and Blairmont 678 tonnes of sugar so far.
Meanwhile, APNU+AFC councillor for Region Six, Dereck Basdeo was present at the three-day protest and yesterday he wrote placards and handed them over to the workers in front of the New Amsterdam Freedom House.
