It has been over two months since an estimated 3500 sugar workers from fields and factories of Albion, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt estates have petitioned the caretaker President for him to intervene in an anticipated pay rise to sugar workers and to date no word is forthcoming.
The workers’ bargaining agent, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) noted that the President has committed that he would send the petition to the GuySuCo to receive their advice before offering a response.
But GAWU is contending that the President has received a proposal on the way forward, but has not acted on it to date.
“In our January 6 correspondence, the GAWU pointed out to Mr Granger noting that a quarter of a year had elapsed, expectedly, the sugar company would have offered its advice and he would have formed his own opinion. Indeed, the GAWU has learnt that the President has received from GuySuCo, some weeks ago, several proposals regarding a pay rise to sugar workers. Those proposals, we learnt too, were also re-sent to the President recently,” GAWU stated.
Moreover, the Union cited that both GuySuCo and the President are not following through on their promises.
“Our Union is also aware that the GuySuCo CEO, Dr Harold Davis (Junior) was representing this matter to the Government. In fact, the CEO, when we met him on November 20, 2019, felt that he would have had an answer on the matter by mid-December, 2019. That timeframe elapsed and after follow-up by the GAWU, the Corporation subsequently undertook to provide a response by the end of 2019. That also lapsed and the GAWU has reminded the GuySuCo that a response is outstanding,” the Union remarked.
The Union is of the strong belief that the entire sugar policy of the coalition Government was done with one intention – that is to punish the sugar workers, their families, and their villages.
“The GAWU has said before, it appears, the President and his Administration had really no intention of even considering the sugar workers and their families’ plight and wellbeing. While holding that strong belief, we felt it was also appropriate to give the President an opportunity to respond. The fact that he has not even acknowledged our follow-up letter though is known for his acknowledgement of correspondences, much less offering a response, in our view, is justifying our suspicion.”
The sugar workers and the GAWU noted that they are disappointed, but would continue the struggle to ensure fairness, equity and justice are served.
