-lauds gov’t support for sugar
Defending the state’s continuing outlays to the sugar industry, GAWU’s President Seepaul Narine yesterday sounded a note of caution about investments in the general economy.
Addressing workers at the annual May Day event in the National Park, the Head of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) also adverted to the issue of labour availability.
“With national development reaching unprecedented levels, comrades, we see that our economy will once again record significant growth this year. It is fuelling national expenditures to all-time highs as … development is taking place in every corner and sector of our country as efforts are heightened to improve the standard of living. These are welcomed as our people anticipate greater progress from our patrimony but we urge that judiciousness and effectiveness be our mantra as investments are advanced. Linked to our development thrust are concerns regarding labour availability. In some areas, foreign labour is utilised, but we must be mindful of the negative experiences of other places in the world. We believe we must examine this issue holistically and craft an appropriate strategy to address present and future labour demands”, he said.
With its historic close ties to the sugar industry which saw the shuttering of three estates under the former APNU+AFC government and the laying off of thousands of workers, Narine lauded the government’s plans to resuscitate the sector.
“Comrades, the sugar industry has been criticised heavily. As the major workers’ union, we are disturbed by the sentiments of some so-called trade unionists who, from all appearances, have joined the political bandwagon to denounce the industry and its hard-working workers. But we should not forget those who placed the industry in the difficulty it finds itself. But now, like Rip Van Winkle, they express surprise at the efforts necessary to breathe new life into the industry. Comrades, it appears, they are vexed by the progress the industry has recorded. Massive investments are being made to heighten production and productivity, with particular emphasis on mechanisation.
“At Rose Hall Estate, certainly much to their dismay, the chimney, once again, has smoke and more than one thousand of the workers they sent home have regained a livelihood. Soon, too, the growing of canes will recommence at Skeldon, and a sugar refinery is being examined at East Demerara Estate. Comrades those who criticise are shameless and have no care for the workers and their families. We should ignore and reject them and ask them about their broken promises of a 20% pay increase and other pies in the sky they fooled Guyanese with during the 2015 elections. Comrades, their true nature as confidence tricksters are exposed”, he told workers who had marched to the park.
Narine also touched on the need for the workforce to recognizes changes in the world of work.
“…in our times, we may be unfamiliar with the intense struggles surrounding the eight-hour workday. But we see nowadays the global movement to reduce working hours and days without compromising conditions is gaining momentum. This movement is driven by the need for better work-life balance and taking advantage of efficiency and productivity improvements. As a developing nation, Guyana cannot afford to ignore the ongoing debate and must recognise that the world of work is rapidly evolving. We are encouraged to see that reducing working hours has not led to decreased output, and many global players are beginning to embrace this idea. A healthy, happy, and productive working class is essential to our national developmental aspirations, and we must keep up with these international developments”.
The GAWU President also took aim at critics of the union.
“Recently, the GAWU was singled out by the GTU and GTUC officials due to the gains we have made. We are disappointed by their statements but proud of our efforts. We will not be distracted by those who attempt to misguide and mislead. We remain fortified in our efforts to bring greater gains to our members, as we remain steadfast in our accountability and ensure our financial records are audited annually by the Auditor General.
Can those who throw stones say the same about themselves? We urge our comrades on the other side not to be begrudging”, he said.
GAWU had been criticized for not offering support to the recent four-week strike by the Guyana Teachers’ Union over collective bargaining.
Narine relayed ongoing concerns about the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
“Comrades, the NIS remains difficult for many workers. We are conscious of the challenges faced and aware of the Government’s interventions to remedy the difficulties. We recognise that some progress has been recorded, and we anticipate that in a speedy manner, the situation could be reversed. Indeed, our workers deserve no less”, he said.
Defending the state’s continuing outlays to the sugar industry, GAWU’s President Seepaul Narine yesterday sounded a note of caution about investments in the general economy.
Addressing workers at the annual May Day event in the National Park, the Head of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) also adverted to the issue of labour availability.
“With national development reaching unprecedented levels, comrades, we see that our economy will once again record significant growth this year. It is fuelling national expenditures to all-time highs as … development is taking place in every corner and sector of our country as efforts are heightened to improve the standard of living. These are welcomed as our people anticipate greater progress from our patrimony but we urge that judiciousness and effectiveness be our mantra as investments are advanced. Linked to our development thrust are concerns regarding labour availability. In some areas, foreign labour is utilised, but we must be mindful of the negative experiences of other places in the world. We believe we must examine this issue holistically and craft an appropriate strategy to address present and future labour demands”, he said.
With its historic close ties to the sugar industry which saw the shuttering of three estates under the former APNU+AFC government and the laying off of thousands of workers, Narine lauded the government’s plans to resuscitate the sector.
“Comrades, the sugar industry has been criticised heavily. As the major workers’ union, we are disturbed by the sentiments of some so-called trade unionists who, from all appearances, have joined the political bandwagon to denounce the industry and its hard-working workers. But we should not forget those who placed the industry in the difficulty it finds itself. But now, like Rip Van Winkle, they express surprise at the efforts necessary to breathe new life into the industry. Comrades, it appears, they are vexed by the progress the industry has recorded. Massive investments are being made to heighten production and productivity, with particular emphasis on mechanisation.
“At Rose Hall Estate, certainly much to their dismay, the chimney, once again, has smoke and more than one thousand of the workers they sent home have regained a livelihood. Soon, too, the growing of canes will recommence at Skeldon, and a sugar refinery is being examined at East Demerara Estate. Comrades those who criticise are shameless and have no care for the workers and their families. We should ignore and reject them and ask them about their broken promises of a 20% pay increase and other pies in the sky they fooled Guyanese with during the 2015 elections. Comrades, their true nature as confidence tricksters are exposed”, he told workers who had marched to the park.
Narine also touched on the need for the workforce to recognizes changes in the world of work.
“…in our times, we may be unfamiliar with the intense struggles surrounding the eight-hour workday. But we see nowadays the global movement to reduce working hours and days without compromising conditions is gaining momentum. This movement is driven by the need for better work-life balance and taking advantage of efficiency and productivity improvements. As a developing nation, Guyana cannot afford to ignore the ongoing debate and must recognise that the world of work is rapidly evolving. We are encouraged to see that reducing working hours has not led to decreased output, and many global players are beginning to embrace this idea. A healthy, happy, and productive working class is essential to our national developmental aspirations, and we must keep up with these international developments”.
The GAWU President also took aim at critics of the union.
“Recently, the GAWU was singled out by the GTU and GTUC officials due to the gains we have made. We are disappointed by their statements but proud of our efforts. We will not be distracted by those who attempt to misguide and mislead. We remain fortified in our efforts to bring greater gains to our members, as we remain steadfast in our accountability and ensure our financial records are audited annually by the Auditor General.
Can those who throw stones say the same about themselves? We urge our comrades on the other side not to be begrudging”, he said.
GAWU had been criticized for not offering support to the recent four-week strike by the Guyana Teachers’ Union over collective bargaining.
Narine relayed ongoing concerns about the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
“Comrades, the NIS remains difficult for many workers. We are conscious of the challenges faced and aware of the Government’s interventions to remedy the difficulties. We recognise that some progress has been recorded, and we anticipate that in a speedy manner, the situation could be reversed. Indeed, our workers deserve no less”, he said.
