GAWU pledges continued fight to safeguard sugar industry

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has announced that it remains committed to the fight to safeguard the sugar industry as well as the workers.

The workers Union made the statement while addressing the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) contention that there is need for continuous employment of the Wales workers.

In a letter to the media, the sugar entity’s Public Relations Officer had stated that the obvious choice for the Corporation is to transfer its employees in an effort to save the livelihood of the workers. But GAWU on Friday indicated that the Union finds GuySuCo to be most superficial and with their words simply not being reflective of the real situation occurring in the industry.

“It is GuySuCo, the State-owned company, which closed Wales Estate and has put hundreds on the breadline. Additionally, it is the very GuySuCo which is advocating further miniaturisation of the industry through further estate closures and sell-out. We ask, how can the same GuySuCo expect its statement to be reasonably accepted in view of the harsh measures it is meting out to sugar workers and the industry,” the Union pointed out in their rebuttal.

The Union went on to say that the statement is bold and clear, and confirms their view that the Corporation’s intent is to transfer the over 300 workers from Wales to Uitvlugt. GAWU further emphasised that the Corporation’s intent is contrary to the laws of the land and our Union cannot countenance the perpetuation of an illegality.

“GuySuCo should hang its head in shame… for those who aren’t aware we hasten to point out that the sugar company is advocating the closure of its dispensaries and other healthcare facilities by year-end. GuySuCo is also actively considering the closure of its training centre at Port Mourant; an institution which offered so many poor and disadvantaged youths a second chance at a ‘Good Life’.”

It is with this hit back at the recently published statement from GuySuCo that GAWU echoed its many grievances with the sugar entity’s intentions and actions, as well as indicated that they remain supportive of any plans which will safeguard the sugar industry.

GAWU and GuySuCo have been at loggerheads ever since the announcements that the sugar industry will be downsized. GAWU voiced heavy criticisms against the coalition Government for moving forward with plans to close estates.