GAWU decries political interference in sugar industry

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has cited that there is an increasing amount of political interference in the sugar industry.

The union said Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman’s statement that the “administrative staff of the Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara, would have to wait a bit longer as government continues to identify alternative estates for their placement” is revealing that there is mounting political interference in the industry.
On Monday in a strongly worded statement GAWU said it finds the minister’s announcement startling, revealing, and at odds with previous pronouncements by the Government.
According to the union, in 2015 the Government had advised that the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) would operate autonomously while its administration would be restricted to the board and management.
Further, it highlighted that the corporation’s Chairman, Professor Clive Thomas, had stated that “GuySuCo’s recent success is also proof that political interference was a severe toxic element in the industry and to the Corporation. That is done with.”

On that note, the union underscored that with the “toxic” repercussions that political interference brings, it was alarming that straight-forward, administrative decisions concerning the Corporation have attracted the attention of Cabinet.
Thus, the union said this illustrates a major shift in attitude by the Government to the sugar industry.
“It would be interesting to learn of the motivations behind the seeming change. We also wonder what other decisions are being addressed about the industry at the Camp Ayangana meetings,” it added, noting that Trotman also stated that, “The question becomes now, what to do with lands, so government is looking at several options”.
“This revelation, though significant and depressing, confirms our Union’s suspicion that there was and still is no clear roadmap regarding the future of Wales Estate. It is incredulous that the Government had adopted such a flippant approach to this issue which threatens the livelihoods of thousands of ordinary Guyanese,” it stated.
Consequently, the union added that this development is not only concerning to the union but also thousands of sugar workers. It stated that if simplistic and straightforward decisions are being considered at the highest levels then the industry can very well be on a perilous path in which political considerations could very well take precedence over other important considerations vital to the industry’s success.
“We urge our decision-makers to carefully consider the path they have embarked and the serious repercussions they can have on morale and the proper functioning of the all-important sugar industry,” it said.