GAWU protests GuySuCo’s failure to remit workers’ credit union savings

Members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Cooperative Credit Union from across four sugar estates staged a peaceful picketing exercise on Monday, calling on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to remit outstanding savings deducted from workers’ wages.
According to GAWU, GuySuCo has been deducting Credit Union savings from sugar workers’ weekly wages since March 2026, but has not transferred the funds to the GAWU Cooperative Credit Union.

The union said the deductions represent workers’ personal savings and should not be retained by the Corporation.
GAWU said GuySuCo had made several commitments to address the outstanding payments, including a written undertaking on August 27, 2026, to pay 50 per cent of the amount owed.
However, the union said no payment has been made under that commitment.
The non-payment, according to GAWU, has affected workers who depend on their savings to meet expenses.
The union also said the situation has placed pressure on the financial position of the GAWU Cooperative Credit Union, which it said is experiencing a liquidity crisis because of the withheld funds.
GAWU is calling on GuySuCo’s management and board to immediately remit the outstanding savings.
The union is also urging the Agriculture Minister and the Government to intervene to ensure that the Corporation fulfils its obligation to workers.
GAWU maintained that the continued withholding of the deductions is causing hardship for workers and is affecting the credit union’s ability to provide financial services to its membership.