Workers of the Wales Sugar Estate yesterday downed tools as they continued to show their disapproval at the planned yearend closure of the estate and again called on government to “revisit the decision.”
Yesterday was the second strike since the announcement was made one month ago with workers coming out from as early as 4 am. It ended around 9 am and they vowed to continue until their voices are heard.
They expressed disappointment that no government official has visited to speak to them since the closure announcement despite repeated calls.
“They [government] can’t treat us like this. They need to come and have dialogue with workers, the union and the cane farmers’ committee.”
They said too that they are “frustrated and upset because we know it was a wrong decision but no one from the government wants to listen to us.”
According to them, the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo admitted that “they should have come and speak to the people before making the announcement but it is not too late – if he can recognise it now. They should have had better consultation.”
They said too: “The government needs to get its act together… work is not going on and the estate is deteriorating. There is a solution and we need to reach them urgently.”
The frustrated workers also told this newspaper, “Just nine months they’re in office and they take such a drastic decision. During the out of crop we suffer in this place. What would happen when they close? Where would we get work at this age?”
They lamented that government should “rethink the decision strongly and do it now. Don’t wait until it get too late because too late, too late shall be the cry.”
The workers have been showing their frustration through protest marches and other demonstrations around the community.
They vowed that they would “take it to another level if they don’t come up with a positive decision …We are not prepared to let the estate go down like that. If it was in a bad state we would understand.”
According to them, the estate made the target last year and “the industry can come back to where it was with good governance and we are willing to work. We can put our heart and soul together because this is our only dependence.”
