More than 30 sugar workers were allocated house lots at the Zeelugt, Phase 11, East Bank Essequibo housing area when an allocation exercise was conducted at Uitvlugt, Community Centre, West Coast Demerara last Sunday by the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC).
A press release said that among the officials present were Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, Chairman of the Board Mohamed Akeel, Director of the Board Kenneth Joseph, Administrative Manager of SILWFC Deolatchee Ramotar, and other staff members of the committee.
According to the release, Akeel in his welcoming address gave a brief history of the establishment of the committee and informed workers that the levy which was increased in 1993 from $100-$500 on every ton of sugar exported had made it possible for the commencement of the housing project.
He also informed the workers that on achieving an 80% occupancy rate the committee would upgrade the roads.
Meanwhile Ali in his remarks said that government was already subsidizing water accessed by consumers and the committee’s water subsidy of $3,000 yearly meant that the sugar workers were paying about $20 per day for water. He also disclosed that over 100 workers must be interviewed and those who were short-listed should consider themselves privileged. He also advised that they should be vigilant in the commencement and conclusion of their houses.
And Nadir observed that Sunday marked the beginning of Labour Week and the allocation exercise had come at a time when workers would be celebrating their achievements together. He urged them to take full advantage of the benefits offered by the committee and they should access the loans which were interest free.