GAWU says the sugar industry ended the year with a paltry 47,011 tonnes – short of its target by 17,878 tonnes – a development the union expressed concern at while it called again for better management from GuySuCo.
Since the PPP/C entered office in August 2020, billions in subventions have been poured into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) but critics have said that results have not been seen.
In an end-of-year wrap up yesterday, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said it remained “particularly disappointed and disturbed by the performance of the sugar industry in 2022”.
Sugar production (GAWU figures)
The union said that it was told that the initial annual production estimate for 2022 of 64,889 tonnes was arrived at after a thorough examination of the canes in the fields. With the target not met, GAWU lamented that the corporation has sought to blame the weather and workers for the poor returns.
The union said that GuySuCo has said that the 2021 floods, which particularly affected Albion Estate, was one of the causes for the low output. In as much as that justification may seem plausible, GAWU said that the Corporation has said that it assessed all its canes prior to the commencement of production. It goes to reason that the canes which sustained damage during the floods were also assessed, the union said.
“As has become the norm, the GuySuCo sought to blame the workers for its production woes as well. Though, for the GAWU, a worn out excuse, the sugar company, at several times, during the year praised its workers’ efforts in enabling the realization of sugar targets. How can the workers be bad on one occasion and good in another? It speaks of the state of confusion that the Corporation currently finds itself. While workers are scapegoated, the industry harvested nearly all its canes, except for a small amount at Albion after the rains brought the crop to an end.
“The GAWU, as expressed before, remains concerned about the management of the industry. We are aware that over time the industry has lost critical skills arising from attrition and retirement. The Union understands that the exodus has hastened in recent times arising from differences of opinions among personalities. If our reports are indeed correct, this is an unhealthy development and does not help the industry in any form”, the union said.
The union expressed appreciation for the efforts being made by President Irfaan Ali and the government on behalf of the industry and said that it believes that once investments by the state in the industry are properly utilized they can make a meaningful difference.
GAWU also called for similar focus on the industry’s workers who suffered a wage freeze between 2015 and 2020 under the APNU+AFC Government.
“This massive setback and stagnation of pay rates placed the workers at a disadvantage. To illustrate the starkness of the situation with the recent eight (8) percent pay rise, a sugar worker is paid $1,285 to cut 2,200 pounds of canes and fetch those canes in 100 pounds bundles on their heads to the punts some distance away. While efforts are being furthered to assist through mechanization, there is need to also invest in the workers”, the union argued.
Recruited
It charged that the industry has recruited contractors to undertake tasks at rates higher than it pays its own employees.
“We recall in August, this year the Stabroek News reported on a report regarding mechanical tillage works at Rose Hall. In a letter by the former Estate Manager, the public learnt that the Corporation increased its rates payable for this task by over 40% in less than a year. We have heard too that the company is about to embark on similar works at other estates paying rates that are above the prevailing GuySuCo rates inclusive of all overheads. The GAWU understands that the company was motivated to approve higher payments partially on account of the need for contractors to earn profits. By that yardstick, at the current rates of pay, it would indicate that the workers are not earning profits for their labour. It is our sincere view that the industry should practice what it preaches and offer similar rates of pay to its employees”, the union stated.
The union restated earlier concerns about the purchase of certain implements and equipment by the sugar company. It said that union members have drawn to its attention, in recent times, the acquisition of unsuitable machinery and equipment. In one recent instance, GAWU said it has learnt that cane loading machines delivered had to be returned to the supplier after they were deemed unsuitable. While it is said the company did not pay over any monies to the supplier, the lost opportunity of not having the machines would have impeded the industry’s progress. In other instances, the union said it has learnt that certain implements and equipment have been purchased only to lie idle at estates.
Earlier this year, officials from the union and the corporation sparred over the purchase of tractors.
“The GAWU contends that the sugar industry have possibilities of success. The company has drawn to our attention its efforts in advancing its packaged sugar sales and its securing of new markets. This is encouraging though its low production may be a limiting factor. Undoubtedly there is an urgent need to improve production and productivity at all the estates. This has several possible positive spill offs. In this regard, we have come to understand that the industry hopes to produce 100,000 tonnes sugar by 2025. We believe such targets are not only attainable but can be surpassed. We, however, contend that important to such feats are a committed workforce and a capable management”, the union said.
