Proposed Rose Hall estate closure… Business people, pensioners, taxi drivers join massive protests

May 17, 2017 News

Protesters came out in their numbers yesterday

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) along with workers from various Estates including Enmore, Albion, Rose Hall and Skeldon, joined with housewives, hire car drivers, students, pensioners, and businessmen and women, to reiterate the call to save the sugar industry and rethink the decision to close several estates across the country.
The March began at the Rose Hall Estate went to the Sheet Anchor Turn and returned to the estate. Hundreds of persons joined the march as they progressed through the East Canje area with their pickets and loud chanting to save the estates tabled to be closed by the Government. The protesters marched in the scorching sun to have their calls be heard, and were slowed by a downpour for a short while, but this did not deter their efforts to fight for the industry they have known all their lives.
Vice President of GAWU, Harvey Tombron stated that the government took the decision to close the estate without doing a “social impact study” He argued, “how many families are here to suffer? How many families owe the bank? How many for children to send to school? This is why the people have come out in their big numbers to let them know that we are not going to give up without a fight”.
Tombron charged that the numbers speak volumes that they are staunchly against the decision made by the Government and GuySuco to close and sell.
“As we are here today, I want to assure you that the workers of Albion and Enmore are here with you. This is an issue of bread and butter for the people. What about the promise of the twenty percent? The government has betrayed the people and we stand here in this number so that we can send a clear message”.
General Secretary of GAWU, Seepaul Narine made it clear that they are on a journey to democracy, one that is saving the livelihood of the people. “This is a journey that if it has to lead us to Georgetown where they are sitting comfortable, we shall see them there and we shall stand up and fight.”
He mentioned that workers at the Albion Estate who were also taking part in a protest on the Corentyne in support with the Union and other workers were not granted the permission to do so; they were stopped by the police. Narine also expressed his shock at the level of police that turned up at the protest, some were decked out in helmets, heavily armed, with face and body shields, while community police and other senior ranks were also present,
“I was surprised when I saw this morning a whole truck load of police men and women dressed in riot clothes, nobody is here to riot, this is reminiscent of the martyrs”, the General Secretary stated.
The Union called on the Government and GuySuco to listen to the plight of the people and to re-look at their position to have the estates closed, a decision that it is opined will cripple the economic progress of the country and imperil the lives of many.

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