Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Postpone the fence, pay sugar workers-Corbin

Dec 05, 2009 News

“Though of relative importance, the allocation of $22M to extend a fence at Camp Groomes should be used instead as an emergency payment to the sugar workers since the Guyana Sugar Company (GuySuCo) is cash strapped.”
This is according to leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin, who yesterday weighed in on the debacle surrounding the GuySuCo sugar workers and the company’s administration over the nonpayment of monies owed.
The Sugar Company yesterday issued a release pointing out that it is exhausting all measures. It issued a statement late yesterday promising to pay the workers on Monday.
Corbin, of the People’s National Congress Reform, told this newspaper, “This is the government that claims to love the sugar workers and yet plays with their daily bread at this critical juncture of the year.”
He was referring to the impending Christmas holidays.
Corbin said that while it is true that the inability to pay is the result off the ineffective management of GuySuCo, “to spring this catastrophe on sugar workers two days before they are entitled to be paid, is nothing short of the irresponsibility and political chicanery.”
The opposition leader also stated that the whole episode is part of the grandiose plan for the corporation to show difficulty and for Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo to arrive like the saviour to save the day by announcing sometime soon that the government will come to the rescue of the sugar industry as they did when the rice industry was in crisis not so long ago.
Alliance for Change leader, Raphael Trotman, told media operatives during a press briefing that the situation speaks of the lack of proper management and accountability at GuySuCo.
Trotman pointed out that while it was in the public domain that there was a cash flow problem with the company, the hierarchy could have at the very least told the workers, “ I know you have worked; I know you are entitled but I cannot pay you now but I can do this for you now and by a particular date I can be able to meet my obligations.”
Trotman said that to wait until last minute to inform that they could not pay, “I believe smacks of eye pass quite frankly…to know that you can’t pay and then to lead them up this path way and then on this day to just announce that you don’t have money to pay them…it really has to stop.”
Trotman also emphasised that the debacle comes at Christmas time and people, “have certain expectations. Their children have expectations.”
According to Trotman, times like these “a responsible government, seeing these things happen, should be coming with laws to protect those who are suffering. That is the purpose of Parliament…not to bring laws that will help a few of their friends.”
This newspaper yesterday reported that sugar workers across the country would not have been paid at the stipulated time.
President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, had said that he was informed that the company was experiencing cash flow problems and as such could not pay its workers today.
Chand said that his union, upon learning of the news, immediately commenced informing the workers.
GuySuCo subsequently issued a statement advising that the company is temporarily experiencing cash flow difficulties, due to the delay in one of its sugar vessels.
According to the official, in the GuySuCo correspondence, the temporary cash flow shortfall has affected the corporation’s ability to meet its wages bill for the current week, “and it is working feverishly to find alternative arrangements; so as to ensure workers are paid for this week at the earliest opportunity.”
The company was adamant that the situation was unavoidable due to external factors.
“The Unions representing the workers have been previously apprised of this potential difficulty and we appreciate their understanding at this point in time.”
GuySuCo also took the opportunity to state that the situation is a reminder of the financial difficulties of the company that has well been ventilated; as it continues to embark on the implementation of its turnaround plan.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Nov 26, 2024

  SportsMax – Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the...
Read More
Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on Antigua Test victory

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Nov 26, 2024

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta State University

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Nov 26, 2024

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Windies Masters Cricket Extravaganza

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

Nov 26, 2024

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of GFF Elite League prizes

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Nov 26, 2024

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final showdown

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Nov 26, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]