Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 21, 2017 News
The workers of Albion Sugar Estate yesterday marched from the Albion Sugar Estate to Port Mourant, East Berbice, to stand in solidarity with the workers of the other sugar estates.
The action marks several weeks of protests over the planned closure of the Enmore and Rose Hall estates for what the administration said is poor performances.
Officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and its ally, former ruling party, the People’s Progressive Party parliamentarians and PPP/C Members of Parliament, all made it clear yesterday that no estate is safe.
Speakers, including GAWU’s leader, Komal Chand, believed that Government plans to shut down all the sugar estates leaving the industry limbo.
Also present at the rally was Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, who noted that the sugar industry has been suffering for decades but “sugar became hostage to political machinations, mismanagement, and refusal to address the problems in a holistic manner”.
He argued for a consultative team and a plan that will sustain the workers.
He called for the government to focus on repairing the sugar factories and ensure proper oversight.
General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj and Dawchan Nagasar, General Secretary, National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), also pledged their support.
The sugar workers marched from Albion to the Port Mourant complex bearing placards and chanting slogans were accompanied by housewives and business owners.
The protests have come at a time when the flagship, underperforming US$200M Skeldon factory has been closed for the first crop for critical repairs.
The industry plunged to just over 180,000 tonnes last year, forcing the administration to continue doling out billions of dollars in bailouts.
Last year, the century-old Wales estate, West Bank Demerara was closed.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]