Sugar workers renew call for President’s intervention

Wales closure

…say they’re struggling to support their families

Months after venting frustration over the non-payment of severance packages which were promised since December 2016, sugar workers have once again protested at their former place of employment, calling for President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to look into their concerns.

Workers who gathered on Monday rejecting the transfer to Uitvlugt Estate and are demanding to be paid their severance packages
Workers who gathered on Monday rejecting the transfer to Uitvlugt Estate and are demanding to be paid their severance packages

At approximately 08:00h on Monday, the sugar workers formerly attached to the Wales Estate staged another protest at the factory demanding their payments. The workers’ contention is that they cannot be compelled to travel to the Uitvlugt Estate on the West Coast of Demerara, some 22 miles from Wales.

At Monday’s protest, the workers told <<<Guyana Times>>> that they were finding it difficult to get consistent employment and, as such, were struggling to make ends meet. It was explained that their finances were dwindling since they were unable to garner five-day-a-week jobs. In fact, one former Wales employee stressed that many of his colleagues had to seek work in Georgetown.

“The family making out real rough; right now, money going down real low,” stated Festus Roberts, who indicated that he worked in the sugar industry over 20 years.

“We need money, people got instalment fuh pay, house rent fuh pay,” expressed another protester.

Michael Chotoo, another demonstrator, told this publication that he was having great difficulty sending his children aged nine, 13 and 15 to school. “Meh family struggle because some days me children can’t go to school…meh can’t afford because meh nah get money since December month,” the frustrated father observed.

In this light, the workers once again called on the Head of State and the Prime Minister to look into their plight and intervene on their behalf.

“Not even to de Prime Minister, not one of them not come to solve our problems. Leh dem come look into our matter; we need them here because this is our President and he has to show us that he cares for us,” sugar worker Rahim (only name) expressed.

His sentiments were shared by fellow protester Fizal Ali.

“We have a very good President and all of here are depending on him as well to come with the verdict as early as possible [because] we deserve our money and we’re going to have it,” the worker highlighted.

At last Thursday’s meeting with workers, Estate Manager Dave Kumar reportedly reiterated GuySuCo’s stance that employees must go to Uitvlugt. The workers claimed that they received threats to the effect that their names would be taken off the payroll at Wales. Meanwhile, there was a brief confrontation between a worker and one of the security staff who was filming Monday morning’s protest.

The workers have been protesting over the last two months. At one of their many demonstrations, the workers had reminded that President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo had committed their support to the sugar industry in the run-up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections. However, when Government had confirmed the end of sugar operations at Wales Estate last year, it was explained that cost was the main factor behind’s the entity’s closure. Government have also since expressed that only three sugar estates would remain operational in Guyana.