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GuySuCo’s first quarter crop no reason to celebrate
…target was set way below capacity despite billions invested – GTUC
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) says that there is nothing to celebrate as it relates to the recent Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) announcement that it has surpassed production target.
According to GTUC, the target set by GuySuCo is way below the expected return for the investment of billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money in the form of loans and grants.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy00
“Surpassing a five-figure target when the industry has historically produced at six-figure levels is the waving of a white flag that the industry is in distress and requires salvaging…The nation ought not be fooled by the publicly stunt aimed at hoodwinking the citizens/workers that the industry is turning around.”
GTUC points out that when taking into consideration that the market availability allows GuySuCo to sell all the sugar it has the capacity to produce, the targets are set far below this, and this “is a reflection of management deficiencies.”
According to the GTUC, “it exemplifies the failure to pull all the factors of production together which will cause the company to deliver at its optimum based on the existing market conditions.”
The union body said that the failure of the government to present a plan for the industry’s development- seeking to escape accountability when called upon to justify the $6B taxpayers’ bailout by turning it into a divisive political issue, may have influenced the National Assembly to shelve its responsibility to the nation and act in accord with government.
“The Opposition must return to its watchdog/oversight role and keep its foot on the pedal to salvage the industry and protect the livelihood of those to be affected.”
GTUC took note of public comments made by the Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, regarding the expectation of the Substantive Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in honouring his commitment to the National Assembly to produce a revised Strategic Turnaround plan by June.
“GTUC cautions against this type of expectation given the government’s track record and ministerial history of the subject Minister.”
The GTUC said that it must be recalled that it was during Dr Ramsammy’s stewardship as Minister of Health that the Ministry was racked with questionable execution of programmes and contracts, including overpricing, overstocking, wanton wastage, and single sourcing of pharmaceuticals.
“The GTUC prefers to err on the side of caution and calls on the Opposition to develop a plan and present it to the National Assembly.”
According to the GTUC, the current production level in the industry is incompatible with operational cost and must be of concern to all.
“History reveals the industry’s ability of higher production targets and self-sufficiency in spite of the challenges encountered…Evidence also demonstrates the PPP does not have a Development Plan for the industry.”
The GTUC said that GuySuCo carries fixed costs regardless of the volume of sugar produced and any production level that is achieved and heralded as successful must be consistent with prevailing factors.
“Under the PPP administration, the management of sugar has not been to the benefit of the rank and file workers, the industry and the nation as a whole…Management is being driven by expediency of crude political motives, rewarding and enriching the livelihood of a few with political connections, with the rank and file workers being used as pawns in the process.”
GTUC said that the Opposition, by their action in the National Assembly must demonstrate to this nation that they are capable of addressing the wellbeing of the industry and its labour force with the dexterity and commitment it deserves.
“The failure to give leadership will be tantamount to giving the PPP latitude to abuse the industry, workers and nation’s coffers.”
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