Protesting Berbice sugar workers arrested for blocking road

Several workers attached to the Blairmont and Albion Sugar Estates who are currently on strike, were on Monday arrested as they intensified their protest action.
The workers, who were initially transferred from the Rose Hall Estate when it closed in 2017, took to the streets on August 16, after being told the day before that 270 of them would be needed to harvest cane at the Rose Hall Estate when it reopens.

They were told that the decision to go was optional but the workers went on strike demanding that they receive a severance before returning to work at the estate which was closed.
Although the Government has already made its position on the issue clear, some sugar workers continued to protest, thus calling for severance packages. On Monday, several of them were arrested for being disruptive.
Approximately 100 workers resumed the protest actions at East Canje, where some of the participants began to engage in disruptive behaviour, such as blocking the roadway with debris.

However, the Police arrived on the scene after the protesters tore down nearby sheds owned by vendors and placed them across the roadway. In addition, they also took two utility poles and placed them across the road, resulting in traffic coming to a complete halt.
The protesters also formed a human barricade across the road and refused instructions from the Police. This forced authorities to call in the armour squad, who engaged the protesters and managed to clear the road but not before the protesters made attempts to set fire to the debris.
Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus reported that about 20 persons were arrested, with 16 of them being sugar workers; one car driver, 2 fishermen and one labourer.
He said they will be charged under the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Act, along with damage to property, unlawful assembly, and acts of terrorism.