GuySuCo, MoPH offer counselling services to dismissed sugar workers

Following the suicides of two Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers, who became depressed after they were issued dismissal letters by the company, the Sugar Corporation and the Public Health Ministry has announced “a social resilience programme” to tackle mental health issues that have arisen in the sugar dependent communities.
GuySuCo said the initiative is being implemented in the surrounding communities of Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales Estates.
GuySuCo in an official statement highlighted that it hopes to develop a ‘national social resilience approach’ for the transitioning communities nationwide, whereby 30 medical personnel will be drawn from GuySuCo and the Ministry of Public Health, “to equip them with the knowledge of addressing issues such as depression and suicidal ideation and to equip persons with the required coping skills”.
Between 2016 and 2017, just over 4000 workers were dismissed from their jobs. Though the estate closures spurred widespread protests, the ‘psychosocial support to ex-employees’ is now being offered after Ramnarase Bissesar of Inner Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, took his life on December 28, 2017, having received his dismissal letter; and dismissed Field Superintendent Joseph Mohabir of Berbice, who also took his life on Old Year’s Day.
GuySuco has explained that the Social Resilience Programme falls under the Sustainable Communities Programme. Among its objectives is the development and implementation of a Social Resilience Programme for ex-employees of GuySuCo. Other plans include building a network of individuals, groups and organisations to provide psychosocial support and finally to build a network of medical personnel, religious leaders, other community leaders to work with GuySuCo and ex-employees to adapt to the changes in the industry.
There will be training from January 9 to 11 between 09:00h to 16:00h at the GuySuCo Staff Club at its Head Office at La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara and in the following week, from January 15-18, there will be ‘Mobilisation/Awareness Sessions for Religious Leaders’  from Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore, Wales and their neighbouring communities. The Sugar Corporation further noted that the Social Resilience Programme will be implemented over the period from January to December 2018.
On Tuesday last, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) called on Government to ensure that GuySuCo facilitates counselling for the dismissed individuals when reports surfaced of the two suicides.
The Union had noted that the laying-off of thousands of sugar workers is having a serious psychological impact and “is pushing some into a depressive, despondent and desperate state” It also deemed Government’s plans for the sugar industry as “ill-conceived and spiteful”.
“Without any further delay the Administration needs to advise on the date of payment of the workers’ severance pay and the provision of alternative employment available noting that workers expenses have not ceased though their jobs were taken away and bearing in mind too that it is not too late in correcting the closure decision taken. Immediately, in the sugar belt the conduct of suicidal counselling should begin,” the Union body had expressed.
GAWU also stated that workers and other family members, who may harbour suicidal thoughts should steer their mind in other directions. Opposition Leader and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo had expressed similar sentiments, stressing that no one should take their own life. He also said that many sugar workers cannot see a future beyond sugar and he deemed Government’s decision to downsize the industry as “political” as opposed to being a technical or economic decision.
If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, please call the 24-hour suicide prevention helpline at 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444 or 600-7896.