The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) believes it is incumbent for us to reflect on the difficulties we faced, the obstacles we overcame, and the victories we scored during 2017. As we reflected events during 2017 we recognized that the year has stood out on several fronts.
As the year comes to an end, the working people and their families are besieged by the pressures of life. Despite high expectations, many of the unpopular and unnecessary burdens introduced by the Government since its ascendency to office in 2015 remain firmly entrenched. Today, the workers are asking themselves what new ends they need to cut in order to live within their means. And, as they enter 2018 in a state of despondency, they are asking themselves what ‘wrong’ have they committed to be dealt such an unfortunate hand.
As we bid 2017 good bye, for thousands in the sugar belt the year concludes on a sad note. At this time a large contingent of workers numbering in the thousands are being sent into the ranks of the burgeoning ranks of the unemployed. The year also comes to an end with dark, long shadows being cast on our fledgling democracy. Actions we once felt were improbable became reality in 2017 and in that process undermined the confidence we placed in the institutions charged with guarding and upholding our democratic culture.
The miniaturization of the sugar industry
For the workers in the sugar industry, the dawning of 2017 greeted them with the terrible news that the Government was intent on furthering plans to miniaturize the sugar industry. Those plans, as we came to know, intended to see the closure of Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates and the divestment of Skeldon Estate which would lead to the redundancy of several thousand workers. While the news was obviously upsetting, the workers and the Union were heartened that that Administration, at that time, committed itself to listening to credible ideas in order to avoid the harshness of the plans.
On that score, our Union on February 17, 2017 presented to the Government our views on safeguarding the industry. We contended that GuySuCo’s success laid in its transformation from a sugar to a sugar-cane industry in which the entire cane plant would be utilized to produce several products. Dismayingly, after our presentation we did not hear from the Government on our suggestions besides one (1) sentence that was contained in the State Paper presented to the National Assembly in May, 2017. Of course, the sincerity of that entire consultative exercise has now been placed in doubt. Just a few days ago, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, in a comment to the media, revealed, maybe inadvertently, that the Government decided two (2) years ago to close estates. The workers having learnt of the Minister’s admission have seen it as yet another betrayed promise by the Coalition Government.
The GAWU must reiterate its disappointment that the decisions for the sugar industry were and are being implemented without any sort of socio-economic impact assessment concluded. Given the magnitude of the decisions contemplated it is disturbing that the Administration adamantly refused to conduct such an exercise. Such an exercise we strongly believe would have illustrated the necessity of the sugar industry to the society and country and would have examined the industry beyond the narrow profit window. We of the GAWU believe without a doubt that such an exercise, once creditably pursued, would have illustrated the industry’s impact and importance from several points of view including, but not limited, to the GRA, the NIS, the local business community, foreign exchange earnings, among other things. For us the Administration’s strong vehemence in proceeding along such a path says a mouthful.
Today, as thousands of our compatriots face an uncertain and clearly misery-filled life occasioned by the ill-considered and clearly ill-thought-out plans for the sugar industry we see President David Granger saying recently that people should come before profits. While the GAWU does not disagree with what the President said we also find it difficult to take his utterances very seriously. Certainly, such a view is not unfounded considering that at the time the President made his remarks in Nairobi, at home his Administration was embarking on the largest retrenchment exercise in recent times in the all in the name of profits. And if the wound was not deep enough, further salt was rubbed as the workers are sent into the unemployed army in the ‘Season of Joy’. We believe if the President is indeed serious about what he is saying, he should translate his words into tangible and real actions lest his statements be considered as mere hollow rhetoric.
At this time, when the workers and their families, especially the youth, are staring hopelessness in the face, naturally, they turn to the Government for a comforting embrace and a helping hand as they face up to the grimness that lies ahead. It is incumbent, we believe, on the Administration to go on the ground, visit the communities and to engage the people of Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara and explain the decisions they took supposedly in the workers best interests and to share with the workers the plans they have for their future.
Sugar production
While the Guyanese people’s attention was largely consumed by the difficulties that has beset the sugar workers, it may have missed many that sugar production this year will be the lowest since 1990. As at last Saturday (December 16, 2017), sugar production for the year stood at 137,233 tonnes. With the cessation of cane cutting across the industry, from all indications, sugar production may not top 140,000 tonnes sugar. For us of the GAWU the excitement which greeted the 231,000 tonnes sugar production in 2015, has now come crashing down as production has plummeted by over 40 per cent between then and now. The dramatic decline of the industry has to be placed squarely at the feet of the industry’s leadership. Clearly, their stewardship is questionable and obvious questions about their performance have arisen.
We have recognized that GuySuCo’s management, in seeking to explain its poor performance, has sought to blame the workers and the Union. The GAWU, in several of its media releases and letters have pointed out to this ploy being deployed and have illustrated using GuySuCo’s statistics the irrationality in the Corporation’s contentions. Unfortunately, the Corporation’s pretext was exposed. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan in his 2018 Budget address spoke to some 22,000 man days being lost as strikes. For an industry with 16,000 workers, it meant that each worker would have struck a little more than a day. Moreover, Minister Keith Scott in his 2018 Budget debate contribution is quoted to have said “strikes have declined by 49.1 percent …this is the lowest number of strikes the industry has recorded”. The Ministers statements have clearly thrown a wet blanket on the Corporation’s insincere rationale. In view of the Minister’s explanations, our Union is eager to see what excuse the Corporation will use to defend what clearly is a miserable production.
Looking to 2018, the Budget tells us that sugar production will reach 115,447 tonnes next year from the three (3) estates that will remain under GuySuCo’s management. This year those three (3) estates have produced aggregately 88,116 tonnes sugar up to last weekend and, therefore, are budgeted to record a 31 per cent improvement in 2018. For the GAWU which has been associated with the sugar industry for decades now, this is a magnificent improvement and we cannot help but wonder whether it is grounded in reality.
Wales Estate
As we meet here today, the difficulties that face the people and communities of Wales are steadily increasing. Many of the ex-Wales workers are having difficulty to find steady employment. Even in those cases where some find occasional, short-term work, they face the cruel reality that their earnings are less than what they earned in GuySuCo’s employ. In such circumstances, those workers and their families have had to make difficult choices and in effect reduced their standard-of-living. The miserable situation has also taken its toll on family life. Breadwinners are no longer able to fully meet their family’s needs, and this is contributing to heightened anxieties and stress and giving rise to even greater challenges.
For the cane cutters, it is noted that their right to severance pay is not being respected and honoured. The Government and the GuySuCo continues to push them to take up work at Uitvlugt Estate contrary to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA). Despite the unambiguity in the law, GuySuCo remains intransigent and the GAWU has been forced to challenge the Corporation’s stance in court. Disappointingly, several months have gone by and a date for the hearings to commence has not been set. Given the significance and importance of the matter, and the number of lives who are impacted, we continue to press that the matter be given some priority.
Separately, the cane cutters in July, 2017 appealed to President David Granger to intervene to have their severance pay matter settled. The President responded to the workers in early August, 2017 informing that he had referred the matter to Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder for his attention and that the workers would hear from the ‘goodly’ Minister. Upsettingly, despite the President’s assurance the workers have yet to hear a word from Minister Holder. For us, it seems that the Minister can be least be bothered by the workers concern and probably is unmoved by the plight they and their family face. Nevertheless, we believe that the President, as the Head of State, owes the workers concerned a proper response.
We also recall that when the sad closure announcement was made, the Government and GuySuCo sought to soften the devastating blow by telling the workers that Wales would be transitioned into ventures involving aquaculture, dairy and beef cattle, livestock, orchards, rice, among other things. It gave the workers some hope that they would have been employed in the touted ventures. But like so many other things those hopes were dashed. Besides a small area of seed paddy absolutely nothing else has been done. That experiment, we understand, was a miserable failure with GuySuCo getting less than half the amount of paddy an average farmer would receive.
The situation for the people and the villages linked to Wales Estate remains bleak and uncertain. It is steadily growing worse and suffering is growing by the day. The future for the people, especially the youth, is not encouraging. It is difficult for us to imagine the hardships that would befall the people in the weeks and months that lie ahead. In this sad time, we call on the Government to provide appropriate financial support to allow the workers to face up to the challenges and to overcome the difficulties brought about by the sad and wrong decision to close Wales Estate.
The plight of the sugar workers
As the year comes to an end, we of the GAWU are disheartened that the sugar workers remain the only group of the State’s employees to have been discriminated against and have not benefitted from any pay rises in 2015, 2016 and 2017, so far. Adding insult to injury, the workers have seen the arbitrary withdrawal of several long-standing benefits; the denial of an Annual Production Incentive (API) payment in 2016 for the first time in 64 years; the disrespect to time-honoured practices and norms, and the open and clear flouting of our laws, the Constitution of Guyana and even international conventions. Added to this is the deafening silence from the Administration which seemingly has given its tacit seal of approval. For the workers, they cannot help but wonder what is at the heart of the unsympathetic approach to their plight and circumstances. They have shared with the GAWU, time and again, the promises they received and the commitments undertaken by various Government personalities during the 2015 elections campaign.
In this short, but difficult period, workers real wages have declined by as much as six (6) per cent. But if that was not bad enough sugar workers nominal incomes, disturbingly, have fallen as well. According to the GuySuCo’s Financial Statements for year-ended 2016, workers nominal incomes have declined over 15 per cent between 2015 and 2016. In monetary terms, we have computed from the financial statements, that each worker on average took home $182,500 less in 2016 than they did in 2015. This is a steep decline in just one year and undoubtedly impacted workers quality of life. But while workers are told that no monies can be found to assist in making life a bit easier, the financial statements tell us remuneration relating to the Corporation’s top-most personnel has risen by just over 80 per cent to $717M last year.
The Corporation in justifying its uncaring approach has pointed to its bottom-line. But while GuySuCo waves this flag, its 2016 financial statements revealed that the Corporation recorded a profit of $905M in 2016. For the GAWU this is intriguing considering that production in 2016 stood at just over 183,000 tonnes sugar, a 26 per cent decline from the previous year. We also found it interesting, that contrary to the Corporation’s tear shedding, the average price GuySuCo received for sugar rose by nearly 20 per cent in 2016. Had the Corporation realized its original 242,000 tonne target in 2016, revenues would have been $5.6B higher. Furthermore, had the sale of Skeldon Co-Generation plant been reversed as recommended by the Sugar CoI, GuySuCo’s revenues would have been enhanced by at least $9.5B more. In other words, Government’s $11B subvention to GuySuCo may not have been required and the Corporation would have been in an even more profitable state. Clearly, the data serves to indicate that all is not lost and the Corporation is seeking to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Court Action to halt closure
Our Union and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) have appealed Chief Justice (a.g.) Roxanne George-Wiltshire’s November 10, 2017 denial of our application to quash Guysuco and Cabinet’s decision to close the East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates.
Our Unions, contended before the learned Chief Justice that the closure decisions were improper and there were insufficient consultations between the Government and GuySuCo, on one hand, and the GAWU and the NAACIE, on the other. We pointed out to the Courts that consultations between the Unions, the Opposition and the Government regarding the future of the sugar industry cannot be deemed as acceptable noting that just about four (4) hours in total were spent on the three (3) occasions the parties met. Our Unions pointed out that the Sugar CoI spent hundreds of man hours and at the end of that process recommended that closure should not be pursued. We further pointed out that the closure decision clearly was not informed by the full consideration of all the factors which we have pointed out especially that a socio-economic study was not pursued though it was necessary. Furthermore, we argued that the closure decision did not follow the clearly set out procedure contained in the Trade Union Recognition Act and the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. Our Unions are seeking that the Government and GuySuCo engage in a proper and full consultation as we hold that such an exercise will result in a different decision being taken.
We believe our appeal has great merit and substance and believe that the learned Chief Justice (a.g.) erred in her determination to deny our application this matter came up before the Court of Appeal on December 21, 2017 which decided to put down the matter for hearing on January 15, 2018. At this time, our lawyers are considering further steps to pursue the matter.
Compensation for displaced Wales’ workers
Separately, GAWU and NAACIE are seeking that the High Court requires the State to pay damages to the ex-Wales Estate workers. In our legal submissions, our Unions are arguing that the State, as the owner of GuySuCo, by virtue of several articles of the Constitution is bound to provide suitable alternative employment or income support in lieu of work to the displaced workers for the rest of their working-life. We have also sought that the affected workers receive a pension equivalent to what they would have received had they been employed by GuySuCo.
Our Unions have argued that sugar workers have a fair expectation to employment until they attain pensionable age. We are well aware that many followed their parents, grandparents and other forefathers into the sugar industry. Furthermore, GAWU and NAACIE are arguing that sugar workers possess unique skills which are not portable and which is presenting a grave difficulty for them to secure employment beyond the industry.
It is intended that similar actions would be pursued regarding the workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estate when the decisions concerning those estates fructify. We are also hopeful that this matter would receive speedy attention given the difficult times that have beset the people of Wales.
Our Unions are fortified in our determination to protect the workers who will be affected by the plans for sugar. We believe that we should use every available option in our efforts to safeguard the workers, their families and their communities, who, seemingly, at this time, can be said to be up the river without a paddle. Clearly, it is our strongly held view, that they are no real or workable alternatives for the displaced sugar workers and they, their families and their communities will suffer tremendously from the cold-hearted approach to the industry
Gains of GAWU
As is well-known, GAWU’s reach extends beyond the sugar industry and our Union is the recognized bargaining agent for workers in several enterprises in number of sectors. In 2017, we have concluded, successfully, agreements with several employers. Through our engagements at the bargaining table, we have secured improvement in rates-of-pay and allowances as well as enhancement in other non-wage benefits. We are indeed pleased with the agreements we reached and our members have expressed their satisfaction. We recognize that our achievements come at a time when some of the employers are experiencing challenges but were convinced by the arguments advanced by our Union to improve our members lot.
We were also pleased to expand our Union’s reach in 2017 as well, with the inking of the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement with Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited. The Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB) since July 29, 2014 approved the Union’s Recognition application. During discussions to frame and finalize the agreement between the GAWU and AMCAR a number of hurdles arose which resulted in a delay of the Agreement. Our Union and the Company will next begin engagements regarding our Collective Labour Agreement. That agreement will set out the terms and conditions of employees and will address pay rates and benefits such as overtime, leave allowances, etc. We hope that this agreement will soon be concluded and the GAWU and the Company’s relationship can go forward in a fruitful manner. The Company’s workforce, mainly females are engaged in the processing and canning of Heart of Palm for export mainly to Europe.
Oil and Gas industry
Guyanese are eagerly looking forward to 2020 when, it is expected, Guyana will join the ranks of oil-producing nations. Oil revenues have the potential to transform Guyana and move it and its people to a much higher plateau. At the same time, we are very much aware of the curses that oil has brought to other nations. Naturally, given the very different destinations that could be arrived at we recognized that several individuals and organisations have urged that there is need for strong, robust and transparent arrangements regarding oil.
It was, therefore, disappointing when we learnt that the Government received secretly a signing bonus from multinational oil giant Exxon-Mobil. The revelation in the press was rightly met by condemnation by several quarters especially in light of the outright and unambiguous denials by several Government officials. The Administration, in defending its decision, argued that the monies received were intent to pursue Guyana’s case regarding the Venezuelan border at the International Court of Justice. But, if this were indeed the case why the great deal of secrecy?
But we recognize another aspect that, so far, has not emerged in the discussion that is a foreign transnational enterprise financing, possibly wholly or significantly, this country’s border dispute case against Venezuela where Exxon-Mobil has a strained relationship with the Maduro Government. Moreover, we wish to express the view that the Government should take care not to be seen as being used, in anyway, in the on-going conflict faced by the Maduro Government of Venezuela.
As we take account of the potential of the Oil and Gas sector, the GAWU notes that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman in his contribution to the 2018 Budget debate informed the nation that Guyana stands from 2020 to benefit from US$380M as royalties from Exxon’s operations, as well as US$1M in licensing fees, US$300,000 for capacity building and a similar amount for Corporate Social Responsibility. To use round figures, Exxon will contribute, according to Minister Trotman, US$382M, which seems impressive on the surface. But as GAWU has pointed out, the devil always lies in the details. In exchange for the quoted sum, Exxon and its partners will cart off with US$19B worth of oil in its first year of operation.
In other words, the Guyanese people’s take is negligible. In terms of jobs, there is not great hope there too. Former Minister, Robert Persaud writing in his column entitled “O&G food production synergy” on website oilnow.gy said “The O&G sector will in the short-term, as currently designed, directly create no more than 400 new jobs. Hopefully, if more services and local content space are created we can see indirect jobs reaching close to another 1000 only in certain regions. But anyone anticipating an instant tsunami of new jobs by this sector directly needs to wake up and sip some fever grass tea.” Just recently too, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn was quoted to have said in the December 12, 2017 Guyana Times in his presentation to the GMSA awards activity on December 08, 2017 that “It is important that all of Guyana’s attention is not placed on oil and gas alone”.
President David Granger at his Press Conference on December 15, 2017 in relation to this new sector is quoted to have said “it’s the first big new industry we’ve had for a century and we don’t want to drop the ball; we want to make sure that our children benefit from what is going to take place”. While, we agree with the President, the signing bonus cover up does not give us great confidence that the best decisions are being made. We wonder, if like an iceberg, there is more hidden than seen. We are aware that the Government facing pressure from several quarters has back peddled and has promised to soon release the contract it inked with Exxon-Mobil. It is difficult not to wonder what intrigues the Guyanese people will come to know of.
People’s Security
The high level of criminal activities have continues over the year. Based on reports, no one can feel safe now-a-days. The fear of crime has gripped the land what is troubling are the new methods used, senior citizens and commuters being targeted and the seeming boldness with which the criminals commit their acts. Whatever efforts are employed by the Police are clearly not receiving the containment effect.
But the growth of crime is but one unwholesome aspect threatening the very fabric of our society. There are several others. Another that is worrying is the consistent pummeling of our fledgling democracy, most dramatically reflected in the unilateral selection of the Chairman of the Elections Commission and the undermining of several independent commissions.
The multi-headed monster that has been placed in our midst has resulted in diminishing security of our people, certainly weakens and smears our country’s image and stoke fears of the past eras where undemocratic practices and alienation of vast numbers of our people prevailed.
This oppressive condition in which we find ourselves should and must not stifle the will to unitedly call for a halt to the social/political deterioration and to return our country on the path of vibrant economic growth, fairness, inclusivity and good governance.
Appreciation
We recognize the successes we recorded this year are in part due to the support we have received from the media fraternity. Your positive response to our invitations to cover our activities, the publishing of our media releases and letters and your own work in highlighting the plight that will confront the sugar workers, among other things have played an important role in drawing to the Guyanese people attention the sad realities in the sugar belt. Our Union is indeed appreciative of your work and recognize through you the sad circumstances of the sugar workers have touched our people’s conscience. As we conclude the year, we could not fail to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to you for your help and we certainly look forward to fruitful relations in the years ahead.
Conclusion
We need to also emphasize that faced with daunting challenges the workers did not give up hope. They stood up and defended militantly their jobs, their families and their communities. They demonstrated an indomitable will to succeed and to call attention to and overcome their plight. Their laudable actions to counter the deathly hands of the State on their jobs and livelihood found sincere sympathy among a wide section of Guyanese and also from several overseas organisations. Their sustained struggles brought several allies who spoke up in their defense in the press, in social media and elsewhere. This is a monumental achievement and one that workers should take great pride and solace in.
Workers marches, protests, picketing exercises, press conferences, public meetings and other activities without a doubt, in our view, prompted the Administration to re-think their hardened position. The closure position has seemingly been aborted and the Government has decided to apparently divest estates which arguably, is the lesser of two evils but not necessarily the best solution. While we know this is not the outcome neither the workers nor the GAWU wanted, the workers can hold their heads high and once again recognize an abiding lesson of working-class history, that is, in authoritarian, class divided societies, the elites holding the reins of power, never or hardly ever ensure justice for the working-class. Thus, the struggle for real, pro-working people change must continue.
We take heart in the knowledge that time is the greatest judge. We are sure it will endorse the justness of our struggles and, moreover, correct the injustices of today. History and future generations of Guyanese will condemn harshly those who advanced, approved and implemented the plans which affected so many ordinary people. The times, though difficult and distressing, must not daunt us, but, indeed, impel us for more determined activities. We of the GAWU pledge to continue to represent the workers’ cause, to bring greater attention to the workers plight, and to press on to win effective support and solidarity for their case.
