Dear Editor,
When all is said and done, we need to understand that the sugar industry is not viable anymore.
We the citizens need to understand that it is not this government that caused the problems in the industry. We all know of the cut from the EU some years ago that posed a serious threat. Some of the other things that caused the industry to be in this crisis are the poor management by the previous government and bad administration on the part of GuySuCo management.
Over the past fifteen years or so, workers were denied several packages from the PPP government. GAWU, who we all know is in bed with PPP did not represent the rights of the workers in a fair and timely manner. It is my belief that in many cases the workers were sold out by the union, all because the President of GAWU is a strong PPP member. As I move around workers reps are telling workers that this government wants to kill the sugar industry. Well those are the same reps who joined with GAWU to deny the rights of the workers over the past years. Indeed workers deserve better wages and salaries, working conditions and health care. But how can an ailing industry which makes no profit upgrade those mentioned without money? GAWU and the PPP know that the industry has not been profitable for a long time now, but they are still fooling the workers.
How long will the government continue to bailout GuySuCo with billions of dollars on a yearly basis? Can Guyana afford to put all that money into a dying industry? Will the country generate the amount of revenue needed to keep the industry going? When Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP invested billions of dollars on the so-called Skeldon Modernization Project they should have thought of the future of the industry and the workers. They should have put the monies they spent on a white elephant in a special fund for the workers.
We cannot blame the sugar workers for the fall of the industry. We have to blame the leaders of GuySuCo over the years for poor management. We cannot continue to have the bad management that is taking place in GuySuCo at the moment. Workers are complaining of being pressured by some managers all because of the change of government. I have received such a report from workers at the Blairmont Estate over the past months. They will deny workers their right to work for a fair wage. GAWU is also doing same by calling unwanted strikes on a regular basis.
GuySuCo administrators and the Minister of Agriculture must understand that estate managers cannot live a millionaire lifestyle provided by GuySuCo when the sugar workers are crying and the industry is going down. The Minister of Agriculture must act now by cutting some of the benefits that the managers are enjoying in a failed industry. Why is it that a dying GuySuCo still has to provide window blinds, gas, weeding of yards, painting of houses, maids, transportation for children, etc, in this crisis?
Those managers need to understand that the industry is not viable anymore to allow for the provision of those facilities. Sugar workers understand the time in the industry but GuySuCo needs to adjust to what is happening and in this way the industry can stand a little more. GuySuCo will save millions per month by doing this.
GuySuCo and the Minister of Agriculture need to restructure the management of the industry for the day-to-day operations. Managers must take up their responsibilities without fear or political favour. Managers must work for their dollars to ensure that the industry meets its target. GAWU must stand by the workers and ensure that they work to make their targets. GAWU cannot encourage workers to strike at this time knowing the industry is slowly dying.
I want to applaud the government for continuing to pump billions of dollars into this dying industry just because of the workers and their families. By doing this it shows that the government does care about the welfare of the workers and their families.
Yours faithfully,
Abel Seetaram
APNU+AFC Regional Councillor
Region 5
