Those Wales cane cutters who are denied their severance pay by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) since December, 2016 obtained a sigh of relief through the provision of a reasonable food hamper which comprised, among other things, rice, oil, split peas, flour, sugar, potatoes, and salt.
For the workers, 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.
The Guyanese Solidarity Movement–New York (GSM-NY) through financial donations mainly from Guyanese in New York and members of the Movement made the donation possible.
Assisting in the exercise was Cde Komal Chand, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU); Members of Parliament, Dr Frank Anthony, Dr Bheri Ramsarran and Cde. Dhramkumar Seeraj, and a representative of the GSM-NY, Cde Jeewan Persaud. The President of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), Cde. Leikha Rambrich supplied 305 22-pound bags of rice at a special reduced price. The other food items were secured at a discounted price while Mikes Pharmacy donated multivitamins – all of which assisted in the goodwill activity.
For their part, the displaced workers were most pleased by the donation especially at this year-end festive season. Many related that following the closure of the Estate they have been finding it difficult to make ends meet for themselves and families and they were very grateful for the assistance and expressed their gratitude to the GSM and others.
