Vendors suffer losses as spending decreases

The uncertainty and fear associated with the imminent closure of the Wales Estate has led persons in the surrounding environs to reduce their spending in local business places. This is according to vendors of a small market in Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD) who related that they too have been encountering hardships since the closure was announced earlier this year. When Guyana Times visited the area on Saturday morning, business appeared to be slow while some of the vendors had already left.

“Some people hear bout de estate closing and they reduce buying but whatever little you get, you thankful for,” a vendor who identified herself only as “Angel” expressed.

“People spending less money and workers get lay off,” another vendor told this publication. These comments come in light of the recent reports of workers being laid off after they gave notice to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for them to be paid severance packages.

One of the other fears abound is that the educational attainment of children in the community will be hindered as parents will not have money to send their offspring to school. At vigils recently held under the theme ‘Save Wales Estate’, it was noted that children stand to suffer greatly, especially with the rising costs of text books and other expenses associated with assignments and schools projects.

Meanwhile, GuySuCo is maintaining that it is restrained from paying some 106 workers their desired severance packages due to a High Court interim injunction granted in favour of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). However, at the court hearing regarding the matter on Tuesday, the Sugar Corporation was unable to defend its position as lawyers for the GuySuCo were missing in action.

While the Sugar Corporation refuses to give the 106 workers employment, the Union said “nothing in the injunction” bars GuySuCo from giving workers severance payments.

In late March, the 106 workers attached to Wales gave GuySuCo their one month’s notice of their intention to receive severance and they were promised that they would be paid by May 6. However, as the injunction was filed, the Sugar Corporation opted not to pay the severance packages.

Government later announced that the Wales Sugar Estate is to be converted to into factory that will process dairy products and fruit juices, among other products.

However, Finance Minister Winston Jordan in a press briefing cautioned that any plans for diversification must be realistic, stating “Diversification of sugar was attempted in the 1970s but we have to do more than attempt, we have to be realistic.”

Meanwhile, the Government through its relevant agencies is yet to make known the direct measures that will be implemented to facilitate the conversion of Wales Estate as wells as what would be done to ensure that farmers and workmen are trained to operate the relevant staff in the new and diverse sectors.