The sugar union GAWU today upped the pressure on the Guyana Sugar Corporation saying it should consider shutting its beleaguered Skeldon factory until repairs are done.
GAWU has pinned part of the blame for poor production this year on the woeful state of the factory and is presently locked in tough talks with the sugar corporation over wage increases for next year.
Production so far this year is around 200,000 tonnes, far short of the original target of 280,000 tonnes and the now revised projection of 250,000 tonnes. The statement also comes amid a visit by senior officials of the Chinese company CNTIC which built the troubled factory. Below is the press release issued by the union.
“Just over a week ago, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) had cause to draw to the attention of the nation the serious state of affairs at the ultra-modern Skeldon sugar factory. The functioning of the factory which is beset by a number of defects has worsened over the past few days.
“Its performance has diminished significantly from crushing about 210 tonnes cane per hour to between 90 and 120 tonnes owing to severe worn-out hammers and leaking boiler tubes. Repair works on the lone boiler and the hammers commenced this morning (November 18, 2010) at about 06:00h and are expected to conclude at 18:00h this afternoon. In the meanwhile, 800 punts of canes are paralysed in the dock and another 600 punts which are being transported to the factory would also be held up in the dock till the factory recommences operations.
“The Corporation owes the sugar workers a full clear and clean statement on the Skeldon Factory and should consider shutting down the factory until its costly defects are redressed. This will save the Corporation millions of much needed dollars.”
