The main sugar workers union said the recently publicized plans for a new industry where operations are mechanized would not work without sugar workers, and is calling for full consultations before anything is finalized.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) issued a press statement yesterday in response to statements made by Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud on Tuesday; specific reference was made to GuySuCo’s concept of a “new industry”.
GAWU said that mechanization and semi-mechanization 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 union observed that heavy capitalization and the climatic conditions will indicate the extent of the mechanization process, and that adequate labourers with an acceptable pay will complement the machines.
GAWU referenced statements made by the minister about the “new industry” saying that the remarks are the first indications of some alternative strategies not included in the much-heralded, current turnaround plan.
“… Is the turnaround 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,” the union emphasized. The union also queried the figures which it said the minister quoted relating to the canes left uncut in the fields, and it stressed that even if the “two major strikes” of eight days were responsible for any shortfall, the highest weekly production recording during the second crop was 9,726 tonnes sugar on the week ending October 15, 2010 – a week when the weather was good. “Surely, the honourable minister should verify his statistics, his “projection” or speculation with his GuySuCo managers and, perhaps, his board of directors,” GAWU added.
The union reiterated that production has been declining over the years, falling short of targets set since 2005, and it referred to Persaud’s statement on poor workers turnout recently as normal given that sugar workers also take a break to spend time with their families.
“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,” the union said. Further, GAWU said that a healthy and productive relationship between workers and management would be welcomed by the union, adding that it has been absent for too long. According to the union, this is necessary for the industry to produce sugar at its full capacity.
GAWU also called for an end to the “management’s confrontational approach to the union,” noting that it has be responsibly “stubborn” in its pursuit of its members’ welfare if it is to remain dignified. The union said too that any employer and government should appreciate this.
Minister Persaud recently said that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will have to move swiftly towards greater mechanization given the recent trend in labour.
“…What has happened this year and prior certainly will shape the outlook of the industry. In fact 2011 and beyond certainly would see GuySuCo of a different type. Not what people thought or their impressions of what the industry has been but these developments certainly has forced changes and has advanced the creation and the establishment of a sort of a new sugar industry which perhaps the industry and the sector has to come to terms with,” Persaud told reporters at an end-of-year briefing earlier this week.
