Berbice tractor operators refute reports of labour shortage

…say Private Sector needs to offer benefits

Some Berbice businessmen have been complaining that they are not finding locals who are willing to work, even though the remuneration package is attractive, but several labourers have come forward to refute these allegations by contending that the Private Sector needs to offer employees more than just a salary.
During a meeting with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh earlier this month, representatives of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) raised the issue of not finding local labourers, and consequently having to resort to hiring expats. A large percentage of that Chamber’s membership are farmers. However, those engaged in retail, agro-processing, manufacturing and construction draw a large percentage of their workforce from residents of the area from Number 43 Village in Upper Central Corentyne to Number One Village on the Lower Corentyne. Despite that wide range, Chamber members are complaining of a lack of both skilled and unskilled labour.

During the meeting with Dr Ashni Singh, President of the Guyana Rice Producers Association, Leaka Rambrich, himself a rice farmer, said tractor operators are offered $6,000 a day, while combine operators are offered $10,000.
This publication spoke with several tractor operators, who reported that they receive between $4,500 and $5,000 a day, while combine operators say they get some $8,000 a day. Because they fear being victimised, most of the persons who spoke with this media house requested that their identities remain anonymous.
Some of the more qualified operators explained that they prefer to work in the fishing sector, since the rice industry is seasonal. Others say they are leaving the Private Sector and seeking Government jobs, because of the lack of security and other benefits offered in the Private Sector. They point out that, as operators, they have to pay their own National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, and if they do not, they have no financial support if injured in the backdam.

Among the operators this publication spoke with was Ravin Douglas, who works with Rambrich. He explained that after working in his father’s rice field as a heavy-duty machine operator, he left to work with the Skeldon Sugar Estate, but after it was closed in 2017, he found himself jobless, and experienced many challenges in finding a new and steady source of income. He worked periodically during harvesting time, and during land preparation time in the rice industry. Over the past three weeks, he has been working for Rambrich.

“The rice farmers used to pay $4,000, and now they paying $5,000. Some pay combine operators $7,000 and some pay $8,000,” he said, admitting that wages have increased.
However, he is saying the wages are not as high as Rambrich has adverted.
Though there is an increase, Douglas alleges, NIS contributions are not being made by his employer. He also contended that there are no other benefits, such as health or life insurance.
Efforts to contact Rambrich for a comment on these claims proved futile.