THE CASE OF SUGAR WORKERS

Aug 29, 2008 Editorial

The continuing dispute within the sugar belt has thrown light once again on the importance of the industry to Guyana and the need for the situation to be resolved quickly.

We believe that both sides to the dispute recognize the serious problems that can be caused by extended industrial action in the sugar belt.

We believe that by moving first towards conciliation both sides have demonstrated a level of maturity that was absent in the past when similar disputes over wages resulted in extended work stoppages.

While there have been allegations that many of the major and prolonged strikes were in the past political in nature, those making such charges have repeatedly failed to appreciate the historic injustice workers in the sugar belt have suffered.

Upon Guyana attaining political independence, these workers felt they had a reasonable expectation to improved conditions of work.

Their hopes were to be quickly shattered by the rebuff of the union they supported gaining recognition, the politicization of the management of the industry, and the denial of the just demands by workers.

Later, the workers were to be denied wage increases because the then government at an urban workers’ day rally obtained an acclamation which provided the excuse to defer promised wage increases so as to fund a proposed hydro electric facility which never materialized.

But perhaps the greatest blow leveled against the interests of the workers was the imposition of a sugar levy which effectively creamed off a significant portion of the industry’s revenue which would have allowed for significant improvement in the living standards of workers.

In and out of season, the sugar workers have been cheated by the political masters of Guyana.

In and out of season, they have remained consistent in that they have stuck to what they believed they were entitled to. The sugar workers have taken industrial action under the former regime and also under this regime.

They therefore cannot be accused of acting politically when it comes to pressing their case for just benefits.
These workers and their union have also demonstrated admirable restraint.

For years they have accepted wages and salary increases that have been less than their demands, no doubt out of concern for the future of the industry which is facing significant challenges, developments which in turn have precipitated restructuring of the industry.

However, with rising food prices depleting their purchasing power, and with inflation for last year pegged at 14% and with the government only offering an increase of 5% to public sector workers, the strain on the workers reached a point where they have been forced into taking industrial action, after earlier this year highlighting the problems they face.

These workers are not unaware of the situation in the industry, including the likely effects wage increases will have on the fortunes of the industry, which at present, is undergoing a review study.

They will also be mindful that the inability of the industry to significantly boost production can also militate against their demands.

However, they will point out too that they are not the ones to be blamed for the shortfalls in production and what is required is a revamp of the management of the industry so as to stimulate higher levels of production and productivity.

More fundamentally, though, the workers can argue a strong case that they are fighting a bread and butter issue, since the present wages will continue to impoverish these workers and their descendants.