The Guyana Sugar Corporation had launched an investigation earlier this year after it was discovered that 240 tonnes of sugar was unaccounted for from the Rose Hall Estate and this led to two senior personnel being fired.
Stabroek News reported yesterday that GuySuCo last week fired a production manager and head lab technician attached to the Rose Hall Estate after claims of sugar going missing sometime last crop.
While the sugar corporation is yet to make any official statement on the matter, information gathered revealed that on Thursday workers were informed that the estate’s production manager and the head lab technician were let go. They were also informed of the person who would be replacing the production manager.
Stabroek News was told that there were reports of sugar being missing from last crop which eventually led to the termination.
A source yesterday told the Sunday Stabroek that it was discovered that 240 tonnes of sugar at the estate was unaccounted for. According to the source, an investigation was launched during which it was discovered that the sugar was sold to a businessman within the ancient county.
Meanwhile, factory workers after being informed of the replacement for the production manager became annoyed as they claim that that person was previously stationed at the estate prior to its closure and was accused of turning a blind eye to the dumping of sugar and damaging of canes.
Factory workers who were on shift on Thursday evening turned up to the estate but then proceeded to strike, while the same happened yesterday morning.
A representative for the workers, Gairaj Ramotar, had explained that “we get to understand them knock off two man… Now them bring one man (name given) to take over but that man work at Rose Hall Estate, he close down this estate and them bring he back. He a the man who stick this cane and when the man tell he no, them knock off that man, one set of story and he make the estate close… He work with them to close the estate. Them workers say them na want he here.”
Additionally, Ramotar said, that they were not fully informed as to the reasons behind the firing of the two staff. He stressed, “Abbay na want that man here, that’s why abbay deh out here.”
Based on information gathered on Friday, a handful of workers along with a representative met with the industrial relations manager at the estate, while sources at GAWU yesterday maintained that the union does not have a say on the placement of managers within the corporation.
The Rose Hall estate reopened only in September of 2023 after being shut under the Granger administration in 2017.
