In spite of the Wales estate facing closure later this year and the merging of the LBI and Enmore estates, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Komal Chand is optimistic about a turnaround of the industry.
At the union’s 21st Congress at Bath, West Coast Berbice, Chand also told members that the industry could be “placed on a sustainable footing through certain diversification initiatives.”
According to a release from the union, Chand pointed out that the sugar workers were the industry’s most important asset and lamented the uncaring approach taken by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) in recent times.
He called on GuySuCo, and more particularly the Interim Management Committee (IMC), to end its hostility towards the workers and their union.
The release said the Congress concluded with a charge by Chand, who took into account the massive challenges which confront the workers and the union along with the threats that exist in the sugar industry. He called on all workers to stand up and defend their rights and echoed exhortations about the need for unity among workers and for the union’s organizational structure to be more effective and strong.
Chand, the release said, spoke of the need for support and cooperation to rebuild the important sugar industry, while noting that this was essential to strongly resist any act to re-privatize it.
He also called for workers to continue to defend their gains and stressed the importance of their unity in these times.
In this respect, he emphasized that the members “must be wary of those who are misguiding them and seeking division of our ranks.”
He also stressed the need for union members to make full use of the union’s educational programme and for them to be more committed to the union as it pursues and grapples with the various challenges faced by members.
The release said the three-day Congress, which was held under the theme ‘United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future,’ was attended by some 500 delegates from the union’s 14 bargaining units.
It was also noted that the Congress unanimously approved nine resolutions, which addressed, among other things, safeguarding and defending workers’ gains in the sugar industry, rejecting re-privatization and closure of the sugar industry, education and training, unity of the working class, the National Insurance Scheme, wage/salary improvements and Annual Production Incentives, solidarity with the workers of Wales Estate, public health situation, and solidarity with all oppressed workers.
‘Creative thinking’
“According to the release, the Congress was declared open by former vice-chancellor of the University of Guyana Dr James Rose, who pointed to the current challenges faced by workers, arising from the global economic and financial crises and the increasing poverty situation in the world.
The release said Rose also noted that the sugar industry in Guyana over its long history experienced many challenges, but that the industry overcame them and managed to cope through creative thinking.
Rose stressed that a similar approach is needed today and urged that all stakeholders work together.
It was noted that during the discussion of the report of the General Council, which was presented by the union’s General Secretary, Seepaul Narine, the delegates were unequivocal in their stance that no estate should be closed as they pointed to the harsh consequences of such decisions and thus were very strong in their condemnation of the decision to close Wales Estate and other estates and expressed their solidarity and support with the workers who would be affected.
The release said the delegates also condemned GuySuCo for its attack on workers’ rights and benefits, which they vowed to safeguard. It noted that they were especially dismayed by the decision of the Corporation not to grant paid release and assist in transportation for sugar workers attending the Congress, while charging that this was discriminatory.
Some workers reported that intimidating tactics were also employed by some GuySuCo personnel to prevent workers from attending the Congress. These efforts to undermine the Union’s highest decision-making forum were roundly condemned, the release added, while noting that workers also stressed the need for unity in the bargaining units of the union and among workers in Guyana generally.
Delegates also elected a 52-member General Council, which was charged with managing the affairs of the Union until its next Delegates’ Congress.
Members of the General Council, at their first meeting, will elect the officials of the Union in keeping with its Constitution.
The Congress also saw 23 members, who provided dedicated and unstinted support and played a role in advancing and developing GAWU over the years, awarded with plaques.
