Workers must demand 10% wage increase

Nov 18, 2012 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

Statement by Moses V. Nagamootoo
AFC‘s Vice-Chairman/Parliamentarian

It was with utter disappointment that I learned that GAWU has surrendered on the fight for a living wage in the sugar belt by accepting a 5% pay rise in the absence of no production bonus.

Moses Nagamootoo

Sugar workers should note that mine workers in South Africa have just won pay rises between 1% and 22% plus bonuses.
The cost-of-living and Inflation have gone up by almost 5% this year, so that the increase is zero. Rather than feeling the groans in the bellies of sugar workers, the union backed down from its 10% bluff, and bowed to what it described as realities facing GuySuCo.
What realities? Is the union referring to the reality that GuySuCo has not reduced the cost of producing sugar from 17 cents to an average of 9 cents a pound through sheer mismanagement, incompetence and poor investment? Is the union talking about the “reality” that average cost of production went up to 19 cents a pound in spite of some $47 billion being pumped into the new Skeldon sugar factory?
The reality is that for a $47 billion investment, production of both sugar and energy is way below projected target. The union needs to look at the reality of no returns for the nation’s money and sugar workers’ sweat.
The AFC offers the union solidarity in the struggle for fair play and fair pay. Workers, particularly those in Berbice, not only deserve a living wage, they are entitled to reliable electricity, functioning recreational centres and protection from deadly criminal attacks.
Over so many years, I have remained steadfast in support of both union and workers. That was why, at the risk of expulsion, I condemned the threat in 2010 from Jagdeo’s cronies to de-recognise GAWU and I demanded a decent pay rise when I urged that we “light a candle for sugar workers”.
We cannot accept as the “reality” that the Chairman of GuySuCo’s Board has to be shuttled here periodically from New York at great costs, whilst a factory worker would not take home $50,000 a month. We cannot accept the reality that so many ‘fat cats’ are given million-dollar monthly bonanzas and presidents, who no longer work for the people, could have pension and other entitlement of $3 million a month. This, in fact, is a nightmare that ought to disturb the union!
No union should subscribe to the regime’s narrative of bread for the elite and bones for sugar workers!
The AFC has been calling and continues to call for a substantial pay rise for all workers to enhance their chance of improving their living standards. There would be enough money for this and increase in pensions as well, when the regime places the billions in dead bank accounts into the Consolidated Fund, and ensures that entities such as NICIL do not fritter away the people’s resources in luxury projects to benefit their cronies.

We are disappointed over the 5% pittance for sugar workers. This is a sellout to those who continue to bankrupt the industry and who have unconscionably squandered $47 Billion on “modernization” of a sugar factory, when they have no viable plans for the future of sugar workers.
We in the AFC will continue to demand a 10 percent across-the-board pay rise before Christmas.