The AFC will move a motion in Parliament for a full inquiry into the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the party announced yesterday, saying that dissatisfaction with its operations was highlighted by aggrieved Blairmont sugar workers.
The AFC’s Region Five Management Committee (RMC) last Sunday met with some of the sugar workers at Ithaca Government School ground, West Bank Berbice, and in a release the party said almost all of them had problems with the NIS, including large portions of their records being missing, which seems to be the norm nationally.
“AFC Chairman Mr Khemraj Ramjattan has an entire cabinet full of NIS cases and the AFC will move a motion Parliament for a full inquiry into that institution,” the release said.
The AFC was represented by the newly-elected Chairman of the RMC Abel Seetaram; RMC Treasurer and Regional Councillor Herman Anthony; RMC Secretary and Regional Councillor Cindy Sookdeo; RMC Public Relations Officer Kenneth Bowman; AFC Executive Gerhard Ramsaroop and his wife, Michelle Ramsaroop.
According to the release, the sugar workers highlighted the obstacles—mainly vines on the canes—that they said were at the root cause of the recent strikes. They explained that the reason there are now so many vines in the fields is because management is trying to save on costs in maintaining the fields.
When management unilaterally decided to reduce the price of obstacles encountered from $150 and $300 to $20 and $40, the workers immediately downed tools. However, while management has now agreed to go back to the old scheme, the workers said it remains to be seen and tensions are still high.
Moreover, according to the sugar workers, management seems not to understand that they cannot cut the same amount of cane in the wet season as they can in the dry, the release stated.
The workers further noted that since GuySuCo began using ripening agents some years ago, it became even harder to make good tonnage because the canes now ripen at a smaller size. Another difficulty they encounter is that in recent times canes are being planted too close to the edges of the fields and often end up in the canals, making them difficult to cut. And while they complained to management about this, it was to no avail, the workers said.
The workers also spoke about the abuse of the ambulance for personal errands and the issue of the tractors that were reportedly bought for some $18M each, but did not last more than a few weeks in the fields before experiencing major damage, for which there was no apparent warranty.
The AFC emphasised that the sugar industry is in trouble but it must not be allowed to collapse since it is vital not just as a major employer and foreign exchange earner, but also as a future major source of energy, namely bagasse and ethanol.
The party representatives also pointed out that they were not there to replace the union but to highlight the workers’ causes.
Meanwhile, the workers also engaged the AFC representatives on other issues, such as the likelihood of snap elections, whether oil will be found and the consequences for the sugar industry, crime and security, and the Berbice Bridge.
On the issue of snap elections, the AFC said that it remains in prepared but given the mood of the PPP’s core supporters—rice farmers, cash crop farmers, sugar workers, fisher-folk, and others in reaction to the recent flooding – conditions of work, low pay and crime, and considering that President Donald Ramotar may not be the PPP’s candidate, they are unlikely.
The AFC representatives also said the party is confident that the local oil industry will be realised, while adding that as long as the PPP finds it politically expedient and finds “amenable” partners, it will not shut down the sugar industry.
On the issue of crime and security, the AFC contended that one of the consequences of the PPP’s inability to deal with crime and security resulted in the Berbice Bridge being placed where it is and not further downriver, where it would have greatly benefitted the riverbank communities.
The representatives restated the party’s position that the bridge will have to be moved on account of the effect its anchors have on the flow of the river, which will lead to greater siltation. Moreover if a deep water harbour comes on stream, as pledged by the PPP, the dredging is likely to affect the bridge. The AFC said further it will continue its advocacy for allowing bicycles on the bridge and for a shuttle vehicle for pedestrians as well as other measures for lowering the tolls, the release concluded.
