Dear Editor,
As early as the mid-17th century when African slaves were brought to Guyana, through the Indian indentureship period which lasted about 80 years and until now, the sugar industry continues to claim its share of martyrs.
The Berbice Uprising and the Demerara Revolution in 1763 and 1823 respectively claimed the lives of hundreds of slaves who revolted against the atrocities meted out to them. Unfortunately, their replacement from India suffered immensely as well, having been fooled by the ‘arkaties’ and promised a better life in Guyana and elsewhere. During the indentureship period, violent strikes occurred at Devonshire in Essequibo in 1873, Non Pariel in 1896, Lusignan in 1912 and Plantation Rose Hall in 1913 which claimed 15 lives – highlighting the atrocious working and living conditions of these indentured ‘slaves’.
However, even after the Indentureship system as abolished in 1917, the sufferings of those who remained on the estates continued and in 1948, five sugar workers were martyred at Enmore, again because of the ruthless and inhuman working conditions. One would have thought that in the 21st Century sugar workers would finally arrived in the ‘promised land’ and martyrdom would have been nostalgically remembered only on certain dates. But this is not to be. Now there is a type of ‘reverse’ martyrdom. Workers are now being forced to take their own lives in order to bring to the attention of this coalition Government the sufferings which are imminent with the closure of the estates. It seems that the British are here again!
A pertinent question must be asked: Why did Ramnarase Bissesar and Joseph Mohabir take their own lives? In a letter to the press, I had written, “Many of the sugar workers who were given the termination letters live on a day-to-day basis; from one pay day to the next. They do not have an iota of savings, they borrow from friends and relatives and take groceries on credit during the out of crop period hoping to pay off during crop time… Personal visits and engagement of sugar workers in these communities would have done wonders to appease the sugar workers, but sadly this was above their sky-high status. Leaders must meet and interact with the masses. Sugar workers are more interested where their next meal will come from and not who caused the downfall of GuySuCo”. If my advice was taken seriously then these two retrenched workers would have been alive today, but as I had also mentioned in that letter, “They are expendables because they are deemed to be ‘the raiders of the Treasury’.”
This Government always seems to be putting the cart before the horse and as I had pointed out, all arrangements should have been made to make a smooth transition into privatisation and ensure that the workers who are going to be made redundant are being paid their severance pay. On the last day of work these workers should have been walking out with their severance check in their hands, not only with a despicable termination letter! This is so callous and heartless! The untimely death of these two workers, while avoidable, is unforgivable and their blood in on the hands of our policymakers! They have been betrayed and killed!
The European Union in its National Adaptation Strategy had specifically stated that it must support the livelihoods of workers who are going to be negatively affected by the sugar reforms. This will also suggest that workers must be paid their severance to buffer any hardships which are bound to accrue after losing their jobs. Let us for a moment pause and put ourselves in the worker’s position who has lost his job, does not have savingS, owes money to creditors or the bank and has a family to take care of, and has not received his severance pay?
I do hope that the martyrdom of the sugar workers is brought to an end and that this Government not only pays the redundant workers but can give them free water and electricity until they have found employment at least and at the same time expedite the privatisation process so that workers can be employed.
I do hope that the sacrifice of the lives of these two brave sugar workers will not go in vain and their sacrifice be seen in its true perspective. I do hope the famous ‘candle lighter’ can now light another one for them.
My heartfelt condolences to the families of these workers and I am begging those who are in a similar position to show great restraint and courage!
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
RDC Councillor,
Region Six
