Latest update December 19th, 2024 3:22 AM

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

Latest News

APNU has no regard for sugar workers and their families

Mar 16, 2014 Features / Columnists, PPP Column

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted the callous and insensitive comments of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in which that Party has called for the closing down of the Sugar Industry.  The call by APNU must be viewed as wanton disregard for the wellbeing and livelihoods of thousands of sugar workers and their families across the sugar belt. APNU’s call for the shutting down of the sugar industry must be deemed reckless and total disrespect for sugar workers, their dependants and the thousands of others who benefit directly and indirectly.
The PNC/APNU has by this call shown scant regard for the sugar industry and the thousands who depend on it for their livelihood. It must be recalled that two estates were closed by the PNC government. More recently, APNU refused to support the government’s efforts to ensure that the industry remains viable. They voted against the infusion of some four billion dollars into the industry and when questioned why, boasted that it was “a PPP problem”. This position is further demonstrative of the callousness of APNU towards the dedicated and industrious sugar workers.
The PPP views this call by the PNC/APNU as part and parcel of  its long held desire to deprive sugar workers of their jobs, thereby demoralising and reducing their capacity to provide for their families and their children’s future. The PPP, since its establishment, has always struggled and fought for the rights and wellbeing of sugar workers as reflected in its  annual observance of  Enmore Martyrs Day  and the construction of the new factory at Skeldon. This factory was envisaged to ensure the continuity of sugar production and to save thousands of jobs for the ordinary working class.
The stringent measures imposed by the European Union resulted in many challenges for the local industry and were in many ways responsible for some countries in the Caribbean closing their factories thereby putting thousands on the breadline. The PPP-led Administration, cognisant of the tremendous loss this could bring to bear on sugar workers and the country, given sugar’s contribution to the economy, took the bold and visionary step to save the industry and jobs through the construction of the Skeldon factory. While there are some teething challenges with the factory, it remains pivotal to the future of the industry and its workers.
The PPP and the government it leads will continue to work to ensure that the sugar industry remains relevant and that the workers are secure in their employment.  The Party will not allow APNU to trample on the livelihoods of the workers. Our Party has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all Guyanese through the continuous transformation of Guyana. Sugar workers are an integral part of this process and as such their advancement through job security must be assured.
History has shown that the PNC through its gross mismanagement  of the economy  brought tremendous economic hardships to Guyanese. The sugar industry was not spared and production spiralled downwards drastically. It was the PPP, under the leadership of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, that revived the industry and saw increased production and improved conditions for the workers despite the challenges faced. Now that the PNC through APNU is in the Opposition, their efforts to impose hardships on the nation and its people, continue.
Their unconscionable cuts to the budget since 2012 have shown their efforts to ruin the progress made over the years and to deprive Guyanese of the advancements they now experience. The PPP would like to assure all sugar workers that it will continue to stand by them and will continue to work to protect their interest and that of their families.  The Party will not sit idly by and allow APNU to achieve its callous objective in taking away the livelihoods of the workers.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Thomas’ hat-trick inspires D.C Caesar Fox 10-5 victory, as Annai Sec’ hammer Dolphin

Thomas’ hat-trick inspires D.C Caesar Fox 10-5 victory, as Annai...

Dec 19, 2024

Fifth Annual KFC Goodwill Int’l Football Series Kaieteur Sports-The 2024 KFC Under-18 International Goodwill Football Series, which is coordinated by the Petra Organisation, continued yesterday at...
Read More
Stabroek Ballers, Sparta Boss, Bent Street ‘B’, North East & Unstoppable advance

Stabroek Ballers, Sparta Boss, Bent Street...

Dec 19, 2024

West Indies Falter in Disheartening Series Loss to Bangladesh

West Indies Falter in Disheartening Series Loss...

Dec 19, 2024

Trophy Stall hands over trophies for Kennard Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day Horse Race meet

Trophy Stall hands over trophies for Kennard...

Dec 19, 2024

Omari Glasgow, carrying the hopes and dreams of a Nation to the MLS

Omari Glasgow, carrying the hopes and dreams of a...

Dec 19, 2024

GCF eyeing growth across other regions in 2025 following successful Inter-Schools tournament 

GCF eyeing growth across other regions in 2025...

Dec 19, 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 […]