As the year closes, the GAWU is disturbed to recognise that the several commitments made to workers and to the nation for the matter following the announcements of estate closure remain, at this time, unfulfilled. At this time, the GAWU recalls that the Government intimated to the people and communities linked to Wales Estate that all wasn’t lost and alternative ventures would be pursued. The media and the public would recall there was talk of pursuing rice cultivation, the rearing of fish, livestock and dairy production, orchards and a host of other ventures though Government and the Corporation were reminded of the terrible results of the past. So far, at Wales just a section of the former cane cultivation has been converted for seed paddy production. The GuySuCo financial report for 2017 indicated that the Corporation invested $61M in the venture but realized only $10M in revenues, hardly a poster child for the touted initiatives which, according to the Government statement in January, 2016, were to be geared towards “…wealth creation and employment generation”. The 774 cane farmers of Wales were promised that their canes would be processed at Uitvlugt and an appropriate road would be built. Today, that road remains a pipe dream and many farmers, unable to transport their canes by public road, have been forced to abandon their plots.
In announcing its position regarding Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates, the Administration through the State Paper said “[e]mployees are to be leased land by GuySuCo to engage in crops…”. This commitment was reiterated by none other than Prime Minister Nagamootoo who, according to the January 27, 2018 Guyana Chronicle, is reported to have said “[w]e want a model where sugar workers will be able to have at least one acre of land if you want to plant alternative crops…”. To date, not an inch of land was given to any worker. The GAWU during an engagement with Administration on January 19 shared with the Government some important considerations in going in this direction.
The GAWU also recalls Prime Minister Nagamootoo saying, according to the January 27, Guyana Chronicle, “…so keep faith, we want you to have confidence in the Government that we will not abandon you, we will not cut you loose and we will work on all fronts to bring about some benefits so you can start meaningful activities in your life and for your family”. While we hope the Prime Minister and the Government keeps that commitment, we also cannot forget the Prime Minister, prior to his election, saying in the April 13, 2015 Stabroek News, reported to saying “…while diversification is important to save the sugar industry it must be done in a manner to ensure that workers on the 16,000-strong payroll are not put out of work”.
