FITUG renews calls for inquiry into sugar’s dismal performance

Feb 26, 2015 News

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) yesterday concluded its 5th Delegates Conference, endorsing a renewed call for an inquiry into the performance of the sugar industry.
According to FITUG in a statement following the conference, it unanimously approved five resolutions. These include the general international situation and the growing struggle of workers and peoples; trade union unity; endorsing the calls of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) for an inquiry into the sugar industry and solidarity with the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and on tax reform.
The resolutions will now be sent to different agencies and bodies for their attention.
The sugar industry, whose workers represent a significant percentage of FITUG’s membership, has been suffering from low production in recent years, plunging to a two decade low in 2013 and 2014.
The industry is facing a severe cash crunch with the Opposition threatening withholding of bailouts until a feasible turnaround plan is tabled.
According to FITUG, the 5th Delegates’ Conference was successfully concluded yesterday under the theme “Upholding Democracy and Struggle for Social Transformation”.
The one day conference brought together approximately 60 delegates from the federation’s four affiliates – GAWU, NAACIE, CCWU and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) – to review the work and performance of the organization since the 4th Conference in 2012 and to chart goals for the ensuing triennium.
FITUG’s President, Carvil Duncan in his Presidential Address to the delegates and special invitees, at the opening session at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, noted the current international situation, pointing out the growing inequity in the world, the increasing militarization throughout the planet and the effects and harms of climate change, among other matters.
Duncan also used the forum to reiterate the federation’s call for a united trade union movement and noted that the division of the working class has been detrimental to the nation. The FITUG’s President also called for peaceful and violence free elections which will take place on May 11 and challenged political parties to ensure that workers and their families take a prominent position in their proposed policies and actions.
Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, delivering the feature address, recalled the circumstances in the country which led to the formation of FITUG. He called on employers to treat with workers and their trade union representatives in a fair and equitable manner and chastised employers who are utilizing union dues remittances and credit union savings from the union which ought to be promptly paid over to the unions concerned.
He also touched on the legislative and other improvements to further protect the nation’s workers.
During the plenary session at the GAWU Conference Room, FITUG’s General Secretary, Kenneth Joseph presented the report of the Executive Committee which outlined the work of the organization and other important national and international issues.
The 11-page report addressed many issues including FITUG’s educational programme, participating in national and international events, the prevailing global situation, issues affecting affiliates, meetings of the Executive Committee, among other things.
A 15 person Executive Committee was also elected by those present.
Those elected were Carvil Duncan, President; Komal Chand, First Vice President; Sherwood Clarke, Second Vice President; Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary; Irma Glenn, Principal Assistant Secretary; Bhagmat Hochand, Assistant Secretary; Seepaul Narine, Treasurer; Michael Stephens, Organising Secretary; Harvey Tambron, Assistant Organising Secretary; Aslim Singh, Education Secretary; Jagdeo Paul, Press and Publicity Secretary and Roxanne Garraway, Narda Mohamed, Savitri Thomas and Elmy Ishmael as Executive Members.
The elected committee will be responsible for the Federation’s functioning until the sixth (6th) Conference.

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FITUG renews calls for inquiry into sugar’s dismal performance

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