Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
Government deserted sugar workers in their time of need
Dear Editor,
Our Union refers to Mr Abel Seetaram’s letter – Sugar workers, their families and the PPP – which appeared in the December 6, 2017 Kaieteur News.
Mr Seetaram in seeking to defend his Government’s callous, cold-hearted approach to the sugar industry has sought to find scapegoats as a means in order to justify the unconscionable actions taken by the APNU/AFC Administration. This is indeed saddening and speaks to the illogicality being employed to defend the indefensible.
Mr Seetaram said our Union was aware that the industry was bankrupt prior to May, 2015. This, however, is far from reality. The GAWU’s first indication of GuySuCo’s financial difficulties was on May 25, 2015 when the then CEO invited us and NAACIE to advise that the industry was facing a cash crunch. Immediately, our Union having been apprised, issued a public statement and informed workers of what was brewing. This is the approach any responsible, duty-bound organization would take.
The letter writer, as he continues to mount an unconvincing defence, charges that if his Government was intent on closing sugar “…they would have used the recommendations in May 2015”. What recommendations is he speaking about? This is the first time we heard of such recommendations. Maybe Mr Seetaram would care to enlighten the public. But forgetting that the letter writer seems to be in an obvious state of confusion, isn’t he aware that the Government at this very time is closing substantial sections of the sugar industry, something the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, revealed had been hatched over two years ago.
No amount of window dressing can obscure that sad reality.
Mr Seetaram then goes on saying:- “This government wants to make the industry profitable again, and that is why they have decided to close a few estates…”. But, President David Granger addressing a UN activity in Kenya, recently, is reported to have said that we must put people before profits. It seems that Mr Seetaram and the President are not at one on this matter.
However, words apart it is disappointing that the State has chosen to impoverish Guyanese in the interest of profits.
We are also told by the erstwhile gentleman that his Government “…will seek ways for those workers that will lose their work to regain employment. Yes, I see alternatives will be put in place for those workers”.
On this score, could Mr Seetaram point to those alternatives he is seeing. We are aware that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had announced that no alternatives were yet in place. Clearly, again it seems, the letter writer should have his eyes, if not other things, examined.
But while the heavy-touting of alternatives for the workers continues, today, hopelessness, misery, anxiety and worry have gripped the sugar belt. The thousands who will now swell the ranks of the unemployed which has grown significantly since the APNU/AFC took office remain clearly unaware of what next to do.
Their “hard working and people’s Government” as Mr Seetaram puts it, has deserted them at a time when they require a caring and comforting hand and not the fake mouthings of the likes of someone, as Mr Seetaram is, obviously.
Yours faithfully,
Seepaul Narine
General Secretary, GAWU
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