Skeldon workers protest exclusion from gratuity payments by GuySuCo

Workers attached to the Skeldon Sugar Estate on Monday morning staged a picketing exercise outside of the factory, calling on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to end what workers described as “discriminatory” benefits’ practices.
Supported by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), the sugar workers were protesting a decision by the sugar company to pay gratuity to employees at the managerial, supervisory, and clerical levels while denying similar payments to workers employed in the field, factory, and allied areas.

“The workers are at a loss for the Corporation’s decision for their exclusion. They charged that they, like the other benefiting groups, were offered fixed-term contracts, and therefore see no reason for them not to benefit from the payments awarded to the other workers,” said the Union in a subsequent statement.
GAWU, having learnt of the situation, addressed the matter with the GuySuCo Head Office. Despite several rational arguments advanced, the sugar company, by letter of September 23, 2021, has said it could not agree to offer similar benefits to the workers.
GAWU relayed, “no reason or explanation was provided by the Corporation for its decision. The workers, having learnt of the Corporation’s adamancy on the matter, became deeply upset and felt cheated. They indicated to the GAWU they felt lesser to their colleagues at the other levels of the estate.”
In the meantime, GAWU said, it is advancing its representation, and will seek the involvement of the Labour Ministry through conciliation. The Union and the workers also urge the GuySuCo to soberly review its position and to treat all workers equally.
“Indeed we believe, given the relevant sections of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, such call is not unfair or imprudent,” the representative body pointed out.

Strike actions
These actions come just after the company and union reached an agreement to ensure the workers are compensated for the difference between their usual productivity per punt and the actual canes cut and loaded – a resolution to strike actions at the Albion Estate.
Scores of cane harvesters attached to the Albion Sugar Estate downed tools last week to protest over what they claimed were poor working conditions in the fields. Moreover, the workers raised concerns over the recorded weight of the cane on the scales, contending that the figures are considerably lower than what they thought was harvested.
The workers staged their protest at Adelphi, East Canje. These workers are from the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, but were not sent home when that estate was closed because they were transferred to the Albion Estate.
On Saturday, the protest escalated to the point where they blocked a major roadway. Police in Region Six, however, managed to engage the workers and persuade them to clear the roadway, thus allowing a smooth flow of traffic.
Additionally, the Police arranged a meeting between the disgruntled sugar workers and the manager of the estate.
One of the issues discussed was the impact rain and floods had on the industry, which resulted in the canes having reduced rate. Cane cutters are paid based on the tonnes of cane harvested, and Narine explained during the meeting that workers were completing their daily tasks but being paid less than usual. (G12)