– GAWU President tells sugar conference
I wish to join with our esteemed Chairman in extending a warm welcome and to express our appreciation that so many of you have accepted our invitation to be with us for this one-day Conference as we reflect on our sugar industry – one of our nation’s most critical economic endeavours. The convening of this Conference, at this time, we believe, is important as it provides us an opportunity to reflect on whether the right decisions regarding the industry were made; what can be done to overcome the difficulties the industry now faces and how we can approach the future to ensure its sustainability and viability. Such considerations are important as the industry still is, in spite of sugar’s haphazard and callous minimization, our country’s single largest employer. As a state-owned enterprise serious consideration must always be given to the lives of the thousands of Guyanese who its operations touch.
As has been said, time and again, the sugar industry occupies a significant place in our nation and it is unique from many points of view. The GAWU has recognized in recent times that some have sought to downplay its importance and to confine its role merely within the ambit of profit and loss. On the other hand, the GAWU contends that we cannot ignore the widely known fact that any examination of the industry cannot be confined to such a narrow outlook. Sugar has transcended mere finance and has become a social institution in our society. Some have argued that this should not be the case but the reality is that its importance stretches beyond a black-and-white notion of profitability.
Sugar’s status in Guyana is not unique, by any means. The GAWU has recognized that across the world, industries and enterprises have grown beyond a mere source of employment to become centres for the sustenance of entire communities. Decision makers have always recognized the importance of these industries and they seek to protect, encourage and assist them to remain viable and operable especially when one considers the consequences of them becoming non-existent. Literally these industries are “too big to fail”.
As we take stock of those factors, the sending home of some 7,000 workers over the last two (2) years without any plan to address their welfare and loss of their livelihood, clearly this has to be among the most callous of decisions ever made by any Government in our country in our over half a century of independence. The Government, by its very actions, has seriously affected communities; has shattered the hopes of the youth, and has pushed thousands of Guyanese into misery-filled lives.
Today, for many of the workers who have been placed on the breadline, they remain right there unable to find steady jobs and, in some cases, any job at all. Today, the hopes nurtured from such talk as “sugar will never die” or “we will fix sugar” heard boisterously during the 2015 elections campaign, have been dashed. It is most upsetting that this approach had been taken especially recognizing that it was not necessary in the first place and that there were very good and real possibilities to overcome the difficulties in the sugar industry.
Indeed, when one looks at the advertisements placed in the media regarding the sale of the closed estates, one cannot help but be convinced that closure was the wrong decision. The now-closed and for-sale estates which had been described as irretrievable with several spurious justifications advanced are now being labelled as attractive investment opportunities. Investors are being told that the estates have the possibilities of co-generation, alcohol, ethanol, packaged sugar, and refined sugar, among other things. We see interested parties being advised, for instance at East Demerara, that there is “…the advantage of operating a sugar factory, with packaging warehouse and fields in five hectare plots each next to water transport system.” There will also be access to a “well established research facility and nursery with several cane varieties and a local pool of experienced factory management and well-educated workforce.” It was also touted that the estate will offer 85% mechanization from mechanical tillage/planting to harvesting and excellent drainage and irrigation systems with new pumps.
It, therefore, is incomprehensible to the rational thinker that an enterprise with such obvious advantages was even identified for closure in the first place. The GAWU cannot help but wonder whether these clearly seen features did not leap out at our decision-makers and cause them to second-guess whether they were being properly advised or being led astray?
We must emphasize, once again, our dismay that the decisions for the sugar industry were implemented without any sort of study to have a full understanding of the consequences of the decisions to shutter estates. The clearly heartless, and some would say ruthless, approach to the sugar workers and their families represents one of the saddest periods in the history of our country. Can you believe that many workers are still to receive their full severance payment which is a blatant contravention of our laws.
In the period, following the announcement that Wales would be closed at the end of 2016, we of the GAWU felt that the workers struggles were indeed history-making and that this period will be examined, studied and discussed by future generations. For the many thousands whose lives depend on the industry, this was a rude awakening as it seemed the Administration just woke up and decided that it would miniaturize the sugar industry through estate closures and divestment and in the process denying thousands a livelihood. Moreover, rubbing salt onto the fresh wound they could not say, with any firmness, what alternatives they were prepared to put in place. It was disturbing news.
The GAWU’s immediate reaction to the Government’s position was one of disagreement. Similar views were also expressed by the NAACIE our sister union in the sugar industry and the political opposition along with widespread disagreements coming from individuals in all walks of life. Our Union advanced, what we felt, were creditable and convincing reasons for the industry to be retained. And, to that end, we provided a road map outlining the path to make the industry viable and sustainable. The Government, up to this time, has not told us officially nor through public pronouncements that our ideas were unworkable or improper. The Administration’s silence says a mouthful. Interestingly, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in its recent ruling strongly advocated that the Government should have answered GAWU on its proposals.
The GAWU also recognized that 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 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, on 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, legal challenges, the raising of the issue in the Parliament, and other activities without a doubt, in our view, prompted the Administration to re-think their hardened position. The closure position has seemingly now been aborted and the Government has decided to divest estates, which arguably is the lesser of two evils but not necessarily the best solution. While we know this is not the outcome that 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, that 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.
Let us 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 to 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 for effective support and solidarity for their cause.
Comrades, as we to reflect and to discuss over the next few hours, our Union could not ignore President David Granger informing the public, at his press conference on Friday, last that the Government had a clear vision for sugar. For the GAWU and the workers of the industry the President’s bold statement was a surprise. A cursory look at the Government’s approach to sugar reveals a far from clear approach. In the three (3) years of the Granger Administration, we have seen the Government closing estates despite its own Commission of Inquiry saying that it shouldn’t. We have seen plans to transform cane cultivations to other ventures failing miserably. We have seen the Government saying it would divest estates it previously decided to close without any explanation for the change of course. We have seen the sugar corporation substantially stripped of its assets and its shares transferred. We also cannot forget the imbroglio regarding the Board of Directors. Or neither can it escape our attention that the industry has borrowed thirty billion Guyanese dollars without a plan – akin to being up the river without a paddle. Is this the clear future the President speaks of?
The GAWU is clear. We want the industry to succeed as a large number of Guyanese depend on its operations. We have seen the ramifications of the vacuum created by sugar. But, success must involve a collaborative and comprehensive approach. There is no singular magic bullet but hard work, commitment, knowledgable personnel and, of course, a motivated workforce – factors which are critical elements in overcoming the difficulties as we have done time and again.
GAWU says let Unity and Solidarity be our guide!
Onward to a successful conference!
