Latest update June 17th, 2026 12:40 AM
Albion sugar workers down tools
…demand higher wages and back pay
(Kaieteur News) – Cane harvesters attached to the Albion Sugar Estate have intensified industrial action, refusing to return to work as they demand the payment of long-overdue retroactive earnings and improved wages.
The workers, who gathered near the Corentyne estate for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, said they will not resume duties until the outstanding payments are made.
“Since yesterday we strike and deh out hay, no minister or government official ain’t come hay yet. “How long we ain’t get this retroactive money, we not resuming work. We have to get our retroactive money.”
Shots of frustrated sugar workers at the Albion Estate on Tuesday.
Those were some expressions of frustration vented to Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, who alongside WIN Member of Parliament (MP), Gobin Harbhajan, visited the workers at the location.
According to Mohamed, President Irfaan Ali had promised the workers that they would receive their retroactive and out-of-crop payments when he visited them late 2025.
“The retroactive was to be paid since last year. Since before Christmas. We are at the mid of June, halfway into the year. They said when the crop finished, you will get the money. Now the crop finished, no payment.”
Cane harvesters also highlighted that wages are disproportionate to the demanding labor. A sugar worker earns just over $6000 per day. Those gathered on Tuesday pitted that figure against the current economic strain in Guyana, and collectively lamented its inadequacy.
“We getting four days of work (out-of-crop), $27,000 a week. When NIS and union dues cut, that can’t take care of our family, with cost of living,” one worker added.
Similar sentiments were expressed by a group of disgruntled cane harvesters at the Rose Hall Estate.
The opposition leader asserted that the government has the resources, but is instead diverting its usage.
“The retro money that them man gon’ pay now, they’re not paying 7-day retro. Seven days we work at the factory, they pay we (for) five days,” another worker expressed.
Another sugar worker stated that at a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha sometime back, they were told that the sugar corporation did not have sufficient resources to pay them, and that government will have to make the payments.
A frustrated Jermaine Crandon said, “In 2024, the seventh of May, I had an accident, and on to now I can’t get my money. Over two years. And I have four children to take care of. (They are saying) today, tomorrow, this week, next week. Up to now they can’t complete the paperwork for me to get my money.”
GUYSUCO continues to receive billions of dollars in government support annually to sustain its operations.
Just last week, a Supplementary Financial Paper was presented to the House by Finance Minister Ashni Singh, which sought $55 billion. From that sum GUYSUCO will be boosted by $3 billion.
The money was requested almost four months after the largest national budget was passed by the PPP administration, and from which $13.4B was injected to the sugar corporation.
Harbhajan clarified that the opposition is in favor of fundings that are put to use for the workers. He called on Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, to explain how the monies are used.
“In 2026, we didn’t object to it. He come with $13.4 billion, and now, the other day in Parliament, he come back for $3 billion. We have no problem if that money is going to be paid to you guys. We’re not against that.”
Company officials could not be reached for comments on the matter.
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