Govt’s pittance is sugar workers’ death knell – Dr Ramsaroop  

President David Granger has this week demonstrated his most callous disregard for sugar workers in Berbice when, in response to the laying off of more than four thousand, it was announced that those would receive half of their severance pay in January, with a promise of receiving the other half by the end of the year.
Even worse, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in making the announcement, said the Administration has set aside $100 million as a sort of revolving fund for the cane cutters and others who are now jobless to start up their own businesses.
Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, made these damning statements in response to the announcement made by Moses Nagamootoo on Wednesday as the National Assembly met.
According to the Business Economist, “This is a blatant demonstration of the unconscionable, authoritarian nature of the current Administration, now full on display; and things are about to get worse. The writing is already on the wall: sugar workers have effectively been left in the wayside.”

Dr Ramsaroop said it is now clear that this Government intends to get out of sugar altogether, and has now “washed its hands on the thousands that have been laid off… “They will be given a pittance to hush (them) for a few days; but what happens when that runs out?” he asked.
In making the observation this past week, Dr Ramsaroop told this publication that the coalition APNU-AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change) Administration’s callous disregard for those not considered its constituents must not be taken lightly.
Dr Ramsaroop’s statements were made in relation to the four thousand sugar workers laid off in the sugar belt. Juxtaposing this figure with the slim margin of votes with which the coalition had won the last general elections, he said: “Having alienated a large section of its own voters, the David Granger-led Administration has demonstrated that it holds no qualms about putting over four thousand sugar workers on the breadline.
“I have warned on several occasions last year, the writing is on the wall, and it is now clearer than ever in 2018.”
The financial analyst was adamant that 2018 will in fact prove to be one of the most difficult years for middle and low income Guyanese, as well as the business class, since the policies of the Administration have been ad hoc and deleterious at best.
“Remember: Jordan had to back-pedal on VAT on education,” he reminded.
In sounding alarm bells over the hardships to be experienced in the coming year, Dr Ramsaroop pointed out that Guyana is not expected to receive any money from oil until 2020. “But what happens this year?” he asked. “The economy is still contracting,” he answered his rhetorical question.
Pointing to the dangerous consequences of such massive layoffs as obtained at the start of this year, the Economic Advisor said there will be a documented increase in not only robberies and other such criminal acts, but personal and domestic violence.
“People are already frustrated over the nonsense this Government is doing now. Imagine: four thousand persons now jobless!” he declared.
Dr Ramsaroop told this publication that persons must be careful to ensure they “do not lose sight of the bigger picture: Granger is showing his hand — that he is not interested in votes to get back into office.”
The Economic Advisor has predicted that during the course of this year, taxation will stifle businesses further, and will remove even more disposable income.
“But this does not worry Granger…I am sure they are planning to rig the elections. We all, as citizens, have to be diligent and prevent this,” he admonished.
Dr Ramsaroop has also cautioned that the loss of four thousand jobs in one section of Guyana alone – Berbice — can only inevitably lead to an uptick in desperation and other untoward consequences; and that the Administration will resort to violence.
He recalled a recent sitting of the National Assembly wherein Police were called in to remove a Member of Parliament for standing his ground on a position taken – which stand he described as nothing illegal.
Dr Ramsaroop recalled, too, the heavily armed ranks that accosted protestors recently in Berbice as agitation begun building over the wanton dismissals.
“This Government has been arming its Police Force and soldiers — known loyalists of the current Administration — and they will use that firepower against the citizens of this country (who) dare to speak out against the atrocities,” Dr Ramsaroop has predicted.
He insists that this Administration’s contempt was again on full display when Agriculture Minister Noel Holder told sugar workers over the weekend that 9,000 persons could have been fired instead of 4,000.
“Imagine, he tells them nothing about a plan for jobs. The Special Purpose Unit was supposed to be responsible for finding alternative forms of employment. They have now taken possession of four estates, all with the intention (to) put on sale.”
Dr Ramsaroop confidently predicts that in the elections’ years ahead — Local Government Elections in 2019 and General Elections in 2020 — the Administration intends to raid the treasury in a bid to entice some voters; while its control of the elections machinery will be abused with the intention of rigging the elections in a bid to secure control over Guyana’s short-term oil destiny.
According to the analyst, next year and 2020 will get worse. “But the writing is already on the wall for this year…. In 2018, Guyanese will be reminded of the economic hardships that a PNC Government brings.”