In the growing feud between the main sugar union and government officials over the state of the industry, GAWU today called on Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud to strive for accuracy and the respect of workers.
It was responding to statements by Persaud in the December 29th edition of Kaieteur News where he was reported as saying that there was an estimated 500,000 tonnes of cane left uncut in the fields, GAWU said this figure was even higher than the sugar corporation.
Referring to Persaud’s remarks about a “new” sugar industry, GAWI signalled that it expected to be consulted about any major changes in the industry.
Below is the full text of the statement:
“The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) hereby responds to a few statements reportedly made by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud at his year-end Press Briefing.
“On matters relevant to current burning issues in the sugar industry, Minister Persaud is reported in the December 29, 2010 edition of Kaieteur News as saying that “an estimated 500,000 tonnes of sugar cane were left uncut in the fields” because of two major strikes. Even this figure is higher than Guysuco’s own estimate of 480,000 on December 16th.
“Even if “two major strikes” of eight (8) days were responsible for any short-fall, the union wishes to advise the nation that the highest weekly production recording during the second crop was 9,726 tonnes sugar on week ending October 15, 2010 – a fine sunny week for cane harvesting. Surely, the Honourable Minister should verify his statistics, his “projection” or speculation with his Guysuco Managers and, perhaps, his Board of Directors.
“The Corporation, unlike in the past years, when its projections were found to be reliable is now unable to determine even with 5% margin of error, the size of its crops. In 2005, the industry targeted a production of 290,000 tonnes, it produced 246,089 tonnes; in 2006, the target was 279,000 tonnes, it produced 259,548 tonnes; in 2007, the target was 280,000 tonnes, it produced 266,482 tonnes; in 2008, the target was 280,000 tonnes, it produced 226,267 tonnes; and in 2009, the target was 280,000 tonnes, it produced 223,735 tonnes.
“The Minister’s reference to only one per cent of workers turn-out on Monday (December 27, 2010) and eight (8) per cent turn-out on Tuesday (December 28, 2010) is reflective of an historical and traditional phenomenon in the industry.
“Once Christmas week arrives, sugar workers, like all other workers look forward to some rest and recreation, for some days before the commencement of the first crop in the New Year, taking into account their back-breaking work during the year. They also enjoy and participate in the festive Season which has long ago become not restricted to Christians.
“Surely the good Minister of Agriculture, the hierarchy of the Corporation and nearly all the Directors were able to enjoy Christmas with their own families.
“On the Minister’s reference to the future, the Union and the workers will be happy to hear Guysuco’s concept of a “new industry” and we hope that there will be full consultations with the workers before it is finalized.
“The Mechanization and Semi-Mechanisation of cane harvesting would naturally develop as adequate rates of pay for the laborious work might not be forthcoming and new workers would avoid employment in the industry, however, the heavy capitalisation and the climatic conditions will certainly indicate the extent of the mechanization process which would have be gradual and to a point where adequate labourers with an acceptable pay will complement the machines.
“The Minister’s “new industry” remarks are the first indications of some alternative strategies not included in the much-heralded, current Turn-Around Plan. Is the Turn-Around being Turned-Around? It is hoped that the two Sugar Unions would be consulted and be involved fully in the Corporation’s rescue strategies. Plans for even a new industry won’t work without the men and women, in short those hard pressed workers and their representatives.
“A Union has to be responsibly “stubborn” in its pursuit after its members’ welfare if it is to remain dignified. Any employer and Government should appreciate this. Reasonable rates of pay influence workers’ morale and performance and attendance at work.
“`The desire is to have a very healthy and productive relationship between workers and management’” is most welcome by the Union. It has been absent for too long. The Union craves for this as it is necessary for the industry to produce sugar at its full capacity and wants an end to the Management’s confrontational approach to the Union.”
