GAWU bemoans “underwhelming performance” of sugar industry in 2022

…as GuySuCo misses production target by over 17,000 tonnes (27%)

As the year 2022 comes to an end, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has bemoaned what it described as an “underwhelming performance” in the country’s sugar industry.
In a statement, GAWU said it remains “disappointed and disturbed” by the industry’s production of just 47,011 tonnes of sugar – 17,878 tonnes short of its target. According to statistics released by the Union, the Albion Sugar Estate fell short of its 30,961-tonne target by over 5,000 tonnes, as it recorded production of just 25,834 tonnes.
At Blairmont Estate, 15,097 tonnes were produced when the target was 20,262 tonnes – a shortfall of 5,165 tonnes; while at Uitvlugt, the target was 13,666 tonnes, but only 6,080 tonnes were produced – a shortfall of 7,586 tonnes.
“We were told that the initial annual production estimate (64,889 tonnes sugar) was arrived at after a thorough and vigorous examination of the canes in the fields. Lamentably, that target was not attained,” GAWU posited.
The Union further lamented that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) “has justified its performance on account of the weather and workers”.
“The sugar company said that the 2021 floods, which particularly affected Albion Estate, (were) one of the causes of its low output. In as much as that justification may seem acceptable, the industry said it assessed all its canes prior to the commencement of production. It goes to reason that the canes which sustained damages during the floods were also assessed. As has become the norm, the GuySuCo sought to blame the workers for its production woes as well,” the Union contended.
Describing this as a “worn out” excuse, GAWU pointed out that GuySuCo, at several times during the year, praised its workers’ efforts in enabling the realisation 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,” GAWU argued.
Nevertheless, the Union said it understands the industry hopes to produce 100,000 tonnes of sugar by 2025, and noted that it believes this target is achievable, and can even be surpassed. “We, however, contend that important to such feats are a committed workforce and a capable management.”

GuySuCo Management
In this regard, the Union, in its statement, reiterated its concerns about the management of the sugar 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 opinion among personalities. If our reports are indeed correct, this is an unhealthy development and does not help the industry in any form. We share the view expressed by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo that there is a need to strengthen the industry’s management cadre to replace lost skills and to bring new ways of thinking in addressing present day challenges,” the Union expressed.
In June 2022, in the presence of President Dr Irfaan Ali, GAWU President Seepaul Narine called for the removal of the GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer Sasenarine Singh. But in response, the Head of State had referenced issues of the unprecedented rainfall and the state of the industry inherited in 2020.
The President then expressed, “I am not saying to you that management issues must not be addressed, but we need to have an honest conversation, and in that honest conversation, the union has a place. The success of this industry is not only about Government, it is the collective effort of all of us who are part of the industry.”

Role of Sugar Workers
Meanwhile, GAWU further expressed that the role of sugar workers cannot be “over emphasised in the success of the industry”.
“The Union and the workers remain appreciative of the efforts of President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Government in supporting the industry. We believe the investments, once properly and adequately utilised, can make a meaningful difference,” the Union expressed. However, it urged similar focus on the industry’s workers, who suffered the indignity of a wage freeze between 2015 and 2020 under the Coalition Government. According to the organisation, 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 percent pay rise, a sugar worker is paid $1,285 to cut 2,200 pounds of canes and fetch those canes in 100-pound bundles on their head to the punt some distance away. While efforts are being furthered to assist through mechanisation, there is need to also invest in the workers.”
GAWU also highlighted that the industry recruited contractors to undertake tasks at rates higher than it pays its own employees. It pointed to reports 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 practise what it preaches and offer similar rates of pay to its employees,” GAWU contended.

Unsuitable machinery
GAWU also expressed concerns about the purchase of certain unsuitable equipment and machinery by the sugar company.
“In one recent instance, GAWU 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 impede the industry’s progress.
“In other instances, we have learnt that certain implements and equipment have been purchased only to lie idle at estates. These are serious worries which, in our view, require further examination”, GAWU has said.