Today (January 19, 2018), officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) met with several Government officials namely:- His Excellency President David Granger, Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo; Second Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma. The meeting followed a request by GAWU to the Minister of State on January 04, 2018 and is in keeping with the commitment made by President Granger in his message to the National Assembly on January 10, 2018 to engage the Unions, among others.
The President in brief remarks noted that the difficulties encountered in the sugar belt are of national importance. He noted that the industry played an important role in Guyana’s development and he went on to say that the Government wants to have the sugar workers live decent lives and that he is committed to reducing the impact arising from the miniaturization of the industry. The President also said that the Unions are the workers legitimate representatives and wants to have serious engagements with our organisations to find a workable solution. President Granger went on to say that the parties will remain engaged until we can find an acceptable and feasible solution.
Both the GAWU and NAACIE welcomed the President’s commitments and remarks. Our Unions recognized the importance of working along with the Administration in finding an acceptable solution to the crisis which has now beset scores of communities and thousands of Guyanese. At this point the President took his leave as he had another appointment, however, the meeting continued under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
The GAWU in its presentation to the meeting pointed out that since February 17, 2017 it shared its ideas with the Government on securing and saving the sugar industry. The Union did express its disappointment that, though nearly a year had gone by, we did not hear from the Government on that presentation. We nevertheless reiterated that our suggestions had offered a good basis to effect a turnaround and restore the industry’s viability. We also pointed out that in discussions with the Sugar Special Purpose Unit (SPU) several of our ideas found favour with that body. Also, while we recognized that financing could be a challenge, we did share some proposals to overcome that obstacle. Our Union also noted that some have argued that the cost of cane production is too high and, therefore, that would make our ideas undoable. On this score, we pointed out that high cane production costs have their basis in low cane yields and intensive work in the fields would surely serve to bring down costs. Moreover, we noted that several of our suggestions will be pursued by GuySuCo in the estates still under its remit and, therefore, points to the soundness of our proposals. We still hold the view that it is not too late to re-think and re-look at the decisions taken.
Our Union took recognition of the Government’s intention to privatize Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates. We did reiterate that we did not believe this is a most sound idea. The Union took the opportunity nevertheless that pursuing such a course would require purposeful measures to ensure that the arrangements involved in the sale of the costly assets were transparent and above reproach. Moreover, we urged that the maximization of the value of the assets be pursued and, therefore, suggested that the estates be re-opened and sold as going concerns in order to realize such objectives. In this regard, we also told the Government it may have a duty to insist on the new owners to ensure that the critical working-conditions that have become part of the workers sustenance and remuneration be protected. Similarly, they must ensure workers’ rights are respected e.g. collective bargaining, recognition of their unions, adherence to labour laws, etc
In this event, we did note that provision of land to workers for agricultural purposes may arise since all workers may not be re-employed. Similarly, there was strong need for adequate safety nets to be provided to this group of workers. On the possible policy of providing lands to displaced workers, we opined that the one (1) acre touted may be insufficient to support an average family but noted it is an area which required much greater examination and thought. Our Union advised that if this policy were to be pursued several important factors and critical elements relating to the income challenges, the psychological effects, financing bottlenecks, assistance for infrastructure development, gestational income, markets, marketing and processing facilities, training and support and the location of lands would need to be addressed.
The Government welcomed our presentation and expressed that it provided good food for thought. The Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, in his remarks, shared with the Unions the developments relating to the severance pay. He cautioned that should the severance payment be made at once it could very well lend to increased inflationary pressures. Our Union shared with the Government team that we believed that workers would spend their severance payments guardedly recognizing that they may have no other source of income. The Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally committed her Ministry’s support to assisting the displaced workers as best as it could. The Unions also urged the Government where it has vacancies that some preference be given to the displaced workers. This suggestion was accepted by the Government and consideration will be given to some mechanism to develop and to satisfy this undertaking.
The Government team undertook to seriously consider our Union’s suggestions and proposals. It was agreed that follow-up meetings would be held and there may be a need to involve other concerned stakeholders. The meeting ended with the parties agreeing that a line of communication would be established between the Unions and the Government, through the Minister of State. The GAWU felt that the meeting was fruitful though we believe it should have been held earlier.
