– condemn GuySuCo’s veiled threats
This morning (April 04, 2019) approximately 100 cane cutters who were transferred to Albion Estate from Rose Hall Estate after the former closed at the end of 2017 staged a picketing exercise outside the now-closed Rose Hall Estate Administrative Office. This is the second day that the workers are picketing to express their concern regarding the serious difficulties and harsh working-conditions they have had to endure since they took up work at Albion, now over a year ago.
The workers have related that on some days they are unable to earn as they are insufficient punts which see them having to load their canes into punts on the next day. In other words, they are working two (2) days but earning one day’s pay. Workers also shared the longer distances they must travel now to Albion which see them reaching their worksites as late as 8.30am at which time the sun is already hot and thus the weather serves to impede their productivity. Normally, cane cutters would seek to begin their tasks as early as 5.30am to take advantage of the cooler weather. The workers pointed out that GuySuCo had indicated to them prior to their transfer that they would be working in the section of the Rose Hall cultivation that was annexed to Albion Estate. However, this turned out not to be the case.
The state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo), in a letter of April 02, 2019, to the GAWU intimated that it would take disciplinary actions against the workers for their participation in protest actions. The GAWU, in a response dated April 03, 2019, pointed out to the sugar company that workers, as Guyanese, have a right of expression. The possibility of disciplinary action could be seen as impinging on that inalienable constitutional right. Our Union, moreover, urged GuySuCo that there be a sober assessment of the situation. We pointed out to the Corporation that dialogue and not confrontation is the appropriate method in addressing such matters as a means to bring about an amicable solution. The workers, during today’s picketing exercise, echoed similar views and called on GuySuCo officials to engage them in frank dialogue.
The workers, given the situation, are calling on the GuySuCo to pay them their severance pay. The workers together with the GAWU recently engaged Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall on the matter. At this time, the law is being examined to see what possibilities present themselves and the Union will be accordingly guided.
