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Sugar workers across Guyana down tools over wage increase
Scores of workers from the three remaining sugar estates; Albion, Uitvlugt and Blairmont, staged a countrywide strike, downing their tools and amplifying their call for a pay increase. Some of the sugar workers even picketed the Ministry of the Presidency to have their cries heard.
Scenes from the picketing exercise outside of the Office of the President
Workers picketing at the Blairmont Estate
Lined off in front of the MoTP on Tuesday, the workers, despite the rain, brandished placards. One stated “End the stagnant wage rates of sugar workers.”
The workers were supported by representatives from the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).
According to GAWU, the Government ought not to ignore the plight of the workers who are employed by a state-owned enterprise. Ignoring their repeated calls is a “naked case of discrimination”, the sugar union contended..
One worker from the Uitvlugt estate stressed that sugar workers deserve their pay rise. “They too would like ‘a happy Christmas”.
“At present, what we looking fuh is we salary increase…Some of we get three, four kids; we need a li’l increase that could help we with we kids them…If government could assist we, that would be good man.”
Since coming into office in 2015, the Coalition Government has not offered any wage increase to sugar workers. Instead, the public servants, including government Ministers received significant increases to their salaries.
In November last, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said that the sugar worker may not be benefiting from any wage increases due to the financial situation at GuySuCo. However, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan had stated that any pay increase must come from the Board of GuySuCo.
The GAWU has repeatedly pointed out that the GuySuCo Board was appointed by the government and therefore guided by the instructions of said government.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, at his recent press briefing stated that funds from the $30 billion bond that was secured to recapitalise the three estates or funds from the sale of the estates that were closed could be used to meet the salary increase.
The workers fully supported his comments and according to GAWU “were at a complete loss to know why the Government, which had embraced them prior to attaining office, was treating them with such derision.”
GAWU also highlighted that petition calling on President David Granger to approve the pay rise. But to date, no reply has been forthcoming.
The Union stated, “Clearly, a pay rise to sugar workers is no longer optional but it is now an imperative.”
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