GAWU’s and NAACIE’s delegation meeting with Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) which represent the majority of the unionised workforce in the sugar industry, on Wednesday engaged Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and the ministry’s Director-General, Madanlall Ricky Ramraj, on a wide range of matters.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the Minister, in commencing the engagement, commented that he also having roots in the trade union movement, having been associated with the GAWU for many years, he is pleased to have the opportunity to meet the workers’ organisations.
He shared that he holds workers in high esteem, as he recognises their manifold contributions at the workplace as well as at the community, regional and national levels.
High on the agenda was the state of the sugar industry and the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo). Both Unions expressed deep apprehensions as they lamented the decline witnessed over the last few years.
The Minister shared that he understands the frustrations of the Unions and the workers. He noted that, over the years, during his interactions with workers, he heard the horror stories of what took place and could not help but be in a state of disbelief.
Minister Mustapha noted that it was against this background that he took up the role as Minister, and though he has been in the post for a short period, he has sought to bring some alleviation to the pains faced by the sugar industry, as he pointed to the recent release of $600M to assist GuySuCo in the short term. The Unions welcomed this measure, as they pointed to several important considerations that should be taken on board to staunch the industry’s decline.
Turning to the closed estates, the Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to reopen the closed Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore Estates. He shared that at Wales the factory has largely been cannibalised as its parts were sent to be used at the operable estates.
Of course this contradicts the Coalition, which said the Wales factory was old; advancing that contention as part of the justification for closing that estate at the end of 2016.
The Agriculture Minister shared with GAWU and NAACIE that a conditional survey has been undertaken by a joint GuySuCo/NICIL team, and their report is presently being prepared.
He committed to sharing with the Unions a copy of that report for their information and comments. Both GAWU and NAACIE expressed their pleasure at the estates’ re-opening, and shared their desire to play an active role in the process.
At Wales, both unions pointed to the need for establishment of some economic activity to remove the depressive climate that has descended since closure almost four (4) years ago. On this score, the Minister said the Government is actively considering several models to breathe new life into that section of the country, and for the thousands who depend on the Wales Estate.
