Officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) which represent the majority of the unionized workforce in the sugar industry today (September 02) engaged Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and the Ministry’s Director-General, Madanlall Ricky Ramraj on a wide range of matters.
The Minister in commencing the engagement commented that himself having roots in the trade union movement having been associated with the GAWU for many years he was pleased to have the opportunity to meet the workers organizations. He shared that he held workers in high esteem as he recognized their manifold contributions at the workplace as well as at the community, regional and national levels.
High on the agenda was the state of the sugar industry and the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo). Both Unions expressed their deep apprehensions as they lamented the decline witnessed over the last few years. The Minister shared that he understood the frustrations of the Unions and the workers. He noted that over the years, during his interactions with workers, he heard the horror stories of what took place and could not help but be in a state of disbelief.
Minister Mustapha noted that it was against this background that he took up the role as Minister and though he has been in the post for a short period he has sought to bring some alleviation to the pains faced by the sugar industry as he pointed to the recent release of $600M to assist GuySuCo in the short term. The Unions welcomed this measure as we pointed to several important considerations that should be taken on board to staunch the industry’s decline.
Turning to the closed estates, the Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to re-open the closed Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore Estates. He shared that at Wales the factory has largely been cannibalized as its parts were sent to be used in the operable estates. Of course, this contradicts the Coalition which said that the Wales factory was old advancing that contention as one of the justifications for that estate’s closure at the end of 2016.
The Agriculture Minister shared with GAWU and NAACIE that a conditional survey has been undertaken by a joint GuySuCo/NICIL team and their report is presently being prepared. He committed to sharing with the Unions a copy of that report for their information and comments. Both GAWU and NAACIE expressed their pleasure of the estates re-opening and shared their desire to play an active role in the process. At Wales, both Unions pointed out to the need to the establishment of some economic activity to remove the depressive climate that has descended since closure almost four (4) years ago. On this score, the Minister said that the Government is actively considering several models to breathe new life into the section of the country and for the thousands who depended on the Wales Estate.
The Minister shared that he saw the Unions and the workers as partners and his door was open for both sides to discuss and share their thoughts and ideas. The Unions also used the opportunity to raise matters related to several agencies under the Minister’s portfolio. The Minister has promised to look into those issues. Both Unions felt that the engagement was cordial and the Minister was most receptive. Indeed, it is a reset from the cold shoulder that former Minister Noel Holder showed the Unions who not even once during his stint reached out or engaged the GAWU and/or NAACIE. We are hopeful that this new beginning will bring all-round prosperity and development to those connected to the sector as we hold agriculture will continue to play a critical role in our country for years to come.
