I agonize over the closure of Wales Estate

Jan 03, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I couldn’t agree more with Lincoln Lewis’ letter to another section of the media on December 25 captioned “Wales Estate workers needed to be treated with respect”. Lewis quite eloquently, in his usually well-articulated letters, made clear his criticism on the way the government and management of GuySuCo treated the workers at Wales by denying them any information whatsoever on the future of their lives. Lewis, quite rightly, traced the sacrifices and struggles that our forebears made to guarantee us the respect and dignity we deserve from those that serve and govern us. Editor, when I read the comments and sentiments offered by workers and their spouses and carried by your newspapers on the closure of the estate, I could feel their pain, anguish and hopelessness. In this season of yuletide blessings, we should all pray for the happiness and prosperity of these people.
Despite the Prime Minister, in his budget summary speech in the National Assembly just two weeks ago admitted that his government “slipped” in not informing the sugar workers in advance on the closure of the estate, they still could not find the time to offer some comfort to the Wales Estate community on what future plans are there for them on their employability. What was even more depressing was the company’s CEO rather than reaching out to the affected workers, reportedly went off on a foreign vacation on the very day that the last bundle of canes was lifted on the estate. I don’t think, apart from the days of bondage and slavery, has it ever occurred that such large amount of people have been occupationally displaced without consultation on the future. It is indeed as Lewis put it a transgression on the Wales’ workers “inalienable right to be treated as equals with dignity and respect”. It is an unforgiveable act by the government and GuySuCo.
Selwyn Narinedatt

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