Berbice sugar workers and their relatives along with supporters of the PPP/C yesterday protested the Arrival Day celebration held at Highbury, East Bank Berbice.
While most persons were decked out in Indian outfits to grace the celebration of the 179th Anniversary of Indian Arrival at Plantation Highbury, the group of protestors stood on the road with their placards in their hands, calling on the government of Guyana to rethink its decision on closing sugar estates in the region.
According to Zamal Hussain, Region Six PPP/C supervisor, the protest was held in an effort to draw the government’s and, in particular, the president’s attention to their disapproval of plans to close or sell sugar factories.
He highlighted that if estates in Region Six were to end operations, thousands of workers will be left without an income to support their families.
However, Hussain stressed that not only will sugar workers “punish,” but also, business owners, who he believes will be left with no other choice but to “close down.”
He questioned what plans the government had for the workers who will be left jobless.
He stated that if the government wishes to diversify the sugar industry, it should inform workers and provide other viable jobs. “We want to know if they are closing the estates, what are the alternatives? How will the workers take care of their children, their families?” Hussain asked.
He added that they do not want “another Wales fiasco…,” in reference to the closure of the Wales Estate.
The protestors were ordered to go further in the corner, as the president and his entourage arrived. As the president exited his car, protestors tiptoed to have a view, in the hope that he might engage them.
However, this was not done, as the president headed straight into the event.
Meanwhile, the government’s White Paper on the future of the sugar industry will soon be debated in the National Assembly.
