WALES SUGAR WORKERS DEMAND SEVERANCE PAY OVER RELOCATION

Feb 14, 2017 News

– There is no legal delay – Union Lawyer

Since the Wales Sugar Estate abandoned sugar production in December, workers there are looking to completely cut ties with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), instead of being relocated to the Uitvlugt Estate.
Nearly 100 sugar workers yesterday protested outside of the Ministry of the Presidency, demanding that they be paid their severance packages in full.
“They paying severance to the factory workers and so; wha happen to the cane cutters and the cane transport workers? We are entitled to our severance, and we want it, because we not going to Uitvlugt,” Ricky Rambir, Field Secretary, Wales Estate demanded.
He explained that even if the workers are to be transferred to take up positions at the Uitvlugt Estate, the wages being offered by GuySuCo are insufficient. Then there is the added hassle of a 22-mile journey to and from work, daily.
“We are entitled to our severance, and we want it,” another cane harvester added.
Komal Chand, head of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was also on the picket line, to give support to the protesters.
“The distance is very far. When you travel the 22 miles to get into the Backdam, you still have to trek a very long distance into the Backdam to take up work,” Chand highlighted.
After several similar protests, the workers are still hoping to get the attention of President David Granger.
Representatives of the troubled employees had already met with Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who promised that he will personally look into the source of their frustration. However, at that time, the severance payments were halted as a result of an injunction filed by Member of Parliament and Union Lawyer, Anil Nandlall.
It was explained then, that GuySuCo had failed to consult the relevant unions before entering negotiations with the workers themselves.
“In such an instance, the workers would not be getting exactly what they deserve, after decades of service to the corporation,” Nandlall pointed out.
But frustration eventually outweighed patience, and the sugar workers moved to independently sign a petition aimed at quashing the injunction filed by Nandlall.
Before that petition could reach the courts though, Nandlall’s injunction achieved the desired effect.
GuySuCo representatives met with leaders of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), as well as GAWU to discuss fair payments, which were later agreed to by GuySuCo, the representative Unions and the sugar workers themselves.
“The legal aspect is completed, so right now, I’m not sure what is causing the hold up,” Nandlall added.
Shortly after assuming office, the coalition government took the decision to close down the estate, because of poor performance by the entire sugar corporation, which continues to spiral downwards.
“But if that is the case, let them go ahead with the shutting down, but give the people their money. Give we, we money. We work hard and sweat fuh it,” one sugar worker protested.
And as the placards indicated, the workers are standing firm, in their demand. The union says that it is their legal right to refuse a transfer to another estate.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News