Dear Editor,
With elections on the horizon, sugar workers, for the first time since 2014, have been offered a raise in pay. The timing of the increase is very suspicious, though the sugar workers, over the last few years, have been fighting tooth and nail for an improvement in their pay. Undoubtedly, the substantial increase in the cost of living has eroded workers’ living standards. Just consider that at the current increase offered, a sugar worker would be required to cut approximately two (2) tonnes of cane to carry home G$100 more. That sum would just be equivalent to the cost of a short minibus ride.
While I have been thought we must be thankful for our small mercies, I believe that the offer to sugar workers is insulting and an embarrassment. To be frank, those who approved the pay increase should hang their heads in shame to give sugar workers what really is less than a handout. Worse yet is that the increase comes into effect from this year. Those who know about sugar would know that the first weeks of the New Year is hard guava season for sugar workers. Many workers are not able to earn since it is the out of crop period and there is hardly any work available to workers. So the workers hardly have much to look forward to in terms of retroactive pay.
While the workers are apparently held down, I understand that the GuySuCo, over the last few years, took a decision to retain several retired persons under the guise of a dearth of skills. Of course, several questions abound about the contribution of these retirees to the industry. Many, I have heard, are unable to complete an 8-hour day but yet occupy senior and critical positions in the industry. It is said that they are reportedly receiving near to the maximum of their pay band without any rhyme or reason, though some have been re-engaged by the sugar company and ought to start at the bottom of the band. Apart from hefty pay packages, it is said that they also enjoy several perks and allowances which are very costly to the beleaguered industry. And if that wasn’t enough, the retirees, I understand, also benefit from gratuity payments which is equivalent to 22.5 per cent of their salaries payable semi-annually. When taken in totality, they receive quite a superb package.
I have learnt, from a source, that this privileged group has pushed up the cost of the company’s senior staff employment by nearly half a billion dollars over the last few years. This, for me, is a scandalous development considering that sugar workers have been told repeatedly and without hesitation that there is nothing in the pot for them while the few are enjoying, it appears, more than the cream. I have been made to understand that the monies going to the few, is sufficient for the sugar corporation to give the sugar workers a further 5 per cent increase. So here is a situation of a few living it up while the masses enjoy misery.
Yours faithfully,
Liebert Alleyne