Several cane-cutters at Enmore have downed tools to protest the weekly sugar target at the East Coast estate among other issues, but the sugar corporation has not agreed to negotiations.
Cane-cutting gangs at Enmore went on strike on Saturday last to press for a reduction in the weekly sugar target which is close to 12,000 tonnes. The sugar workers reportedly feel pressured to meet the target as the industry struggles to reach a revised target of just over 260,000 tonnes. This is the latest in a series of strikes to hit the sugar industry.
President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Komal Chand reported that many workers have resumed working as of today but that “a few gangs are still on strike”. He said the workers have put forward three issues as reasons for industrial action.
Sitting atop the agenda of the issues raised was the sugar target and according to Chand, the workers are particularly vocal on this. He said the union fully supports its membership and is hoping to meet with officials at the sugar corporation to have the issues resolved.
GuySuCo had agreed to meet with GAWU today to discuss ongoing wage issues, but the meeting was called off following the strike action at Enmore. GuySuCo has also cancelled a meeting it had planned with NAACIE union representatives later this week.
Sugar workers at Enmore are also calling for the dismissal of a supervisor at the estate; many are refusing to work under the individual and are holding out until the situation is remedied.
