Disappointed at the President’s position on the sugar industry

Apr 20, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has taken note of the remarks, which appeared in various sections of the media, made by President David Granger at the opening of West Berbice Expo on April 15, 2017. The President in his address announced that the Government was intent on keeping Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates. The Head of State’s utterance, therefore, is yet another indication, in our view, that the Administration has embraced the plan of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) to close Rose Hall and Enmore Estates and to divest Skeldon Estate. The decision on sugar, taking into account the closure of Wales Estate, will see some 9,000 workers being thrown on to the breadline. Thousands more who depend on the workers whether as dependents, or as goods and service providers will also be harshly affected by the closure and sell-out thrust, as reportedly signalled by the current President.
We also see the President’s announcement as a departure from previous commitments by other high-ranking officials of the Administration. GAWU is mindful that just a few weeks ago, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told the Guyanese people, through the media, that a ‘White Paper’ on sugar would be taken to the National Assembly for deliberation and debate. The Minister further went on to say that it was only after that exercise that firm decisions would be made with respect to sugar. However, so far the paper has remained a secret and we have now seen the President taking a different approach.
Our Union and the thousands of sugar workers see this as another betrayal. In recent times, the workers and their organisations have heard from the Administration phrases like “Sugar too big to fail” or, as coming from PM Nagamootoo, “Sugar will never die” but then decisions are made which see them being pushed or facing the stark reality of a life of uncertainty and almost certainly misery.
It is saddening that the Administration has taken this course and has chosen to shun the credible advice it has been receiving on ways to turnaround and safeguard the industry. Moreover, when the alternative presented by GuySuCo is filled with so many holes and questions it is doubly worrying for our Union. The Government’s approach obviously brings into question its professed sincerity to the thousands dependent on its operations and embracing positions to safeguard and enhance the life and work conditions of our people, particularly the working-people.
Communications Department
GAWU

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