President Irfaan Ali yesterday called for robust and renewed management in the area of technical services at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) even as talks are ongoing with the governments of India and Guatemala to assist.
The Head of State yesterday made the statement at the 22nd Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
Ali had previously mentioned possible sugar industry assistance from India and Guatemala but nothing has materialised thus far.
As efforts are ongoing to boost GuySuCo’s institutional structure, a renewed approach towards management is paramount, Ali said.
He noted that while the Corporation is anxious and eager to achieve its production targets of sugar annually it is important that its technical services are efficient and effective.
As GAWU deliberates for the next two days on “Advancing Workers’ Rights, Economic Progress and Social Justice,” the Head of State challenged the union to remain relevant and competitive in the changing digital environment of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
He also urged GAWU & GuySuCo to continuously strive towards putting the interests of workers first.
He challenged trade union bodies in Guyana and the wider Caribbean to spend time to address these rapid technological changes that are confronting the workforce across the world.
“AI, the digital economy and robotics, are upon us and we are seeing what this new reality can do and how it is rapidly changing things. Can we remain competitive without adjusting or even relevant in this new world?” the President questioned.
He said discussions must be held on how the trade union movement will function in this new environment of technology.
The President said that failure to address the changes now will lead to more inequality between countries and workforces. And in this regard, he insisted that the necessary adaptation must commence now.
“This is where the leadership of trade unions has to step up and advance work in these areas to avoid monumental change and consequences for workers in the future,” Ali added.
To match the advancement of AI with the development of the workforce, Ali reminded of an agreement signed between Guyana and the United Arab Emirates to train 150,000 children in coding.
GAWU President Seepaul Narine and GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer Sasenarine Singh earlier had vowed to work together to address the condition of sugar workers at the operating estates.
According to Singh and Narine so far many of these issues such as outstanding severance and wages have been resolved.
“Despite the challenges in the sugar industry, our principle aim is to craft a path of mutual interest, to ensure the growth of the sugar industry and for employees to benefit from whatever value is created from such process”, GuySuCo CEO Singh said.
Narine in his address lauded progress under the Ali administration.
“As we move forward from that difficult period in our history, it’s important to acknowledge the positive developments which are taking place in Guyana. The country has made impressive economic progress under His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his team. We admire their efforts to improve the well-being and welfare of all citizens. President Ali government’s commitment to building a strong nation as `One Guyana’ is commendable, and the involvement of working people and their families, all of us, are crucial to this effort. To propel Guyana forward, we must enhance our abilities and expertise. We are aware of measures being taken to address this issue and we urge that all Guyanese contribute to the country’s progress and thereafter reap its success”, he said.
Emphasising the importance of equity as it relates to the working people, Narine said that while there may not be a single solution to this issue, a range of measures, such as addressing wage levels and implementing social and economic interventions, could prove worthwhile.
In what might be perceived as a criticism of the sugar corporation, Narine also underlined the importance of heightening productivity.
“Additionally, we firmly believe that improving productivity is key to achieving the next level of development and prosperity. Our Union stands ready to engage the President and his team on these crucial matters in the interest further improving the welfare and the standard of living of the ordinary man and woman of our country”, he said.
The GAWU President however expressed optimism about the way forward.
“Today a new page is being written for the sugar industry. There are visible signs of revitalisation and hope for a better tomorrow abounds. Its resurgence heartens us as we recognise and appreciate the efforts of the Government of Guyana in making available significant financial support towards its recapitalisation. Importantly was the end to the discrimination meted out to the industry’s workers. Since the new Government, workers have been treated equally and justly as their other colleagues in the State. As the industry progresses, we anticipate further improvements to enhance productivity and diversify its revenue streams. We are conscious of the efforts to focus on the direct consumption sugars which we are told have attracted considerable demand. There are also other possibilities that the industry may need to consider as its production improves”, Narine said.
