GAWU’s end of year message
As we will soon depart 2020 the GAWU, as has now become an annual tradition, takes this opportunity to reflect on the year that has gone that is nearing an end. 2020 was indeed history making on several fronts and one that mankind will not soon forget. The year has reminded us of how dependent we are on one another. It showed us that despite all our advancements how easily life can be halted and turned upside down. But it demonstrated to us that despite adversity and challenge our collective actions can surmount the obstacles that are put in our way.
As we considered 2020, we remember our Union’s late President, Cde Komal Chand, a champion of the working-class. Cde Komal who passed away earlier this year served the GAWU with dedication, commitment and selflessness. Outside of GAWU, he served as Vice President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and a member of the Presidential Council of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). His commitment to the advancement of the working-class was unwavering and is a testament to the ideals he subscribed to during his lifetime. Cde Komal stood tall in the battles in defence of the workers and he earned the respect and admiration of those around him. His contributions will forever be remembered and his legacy and teachings will live on.
We also, at this time, remember another dear comrade of GAWU, Feroze Mohamed who also passed away earlier this year. Cde Feroze, during his lifetime, though not an active trade unionist always stood in defence of the workers. He espoused working-class ideals and recognised the need for unity among the ranks of the working-class. Cde Feroze was always willing to lend his support and ideas to the struggles of the workers. Probably his most tangible contribution regarded workers education. Much of his lessons on various topics continue to be used on to now demonstrating the depth and breadth of his knowledge. In more recent years, Cde Feroze became even closer to the GAWU and continued to share his time and views as workers struggles for betterment reached high points. Indeed, like Cde Komal, Cde Feroze will be missed. We use this opportunity to remember too, other stalwarts and activists of GAWU who passed on during the year. We recognise their many and varied contributions to the struggles of the working-class and the realization of several achievements.
As 2020 reaches a hopeful conclusion, we recognise many challenges still face the working people of Guyana. We recognise that too many of our working men and women are still finding difficult to feed their families, to put a shelter over their head, to send their children to school and all in all live happy and contended lives. This is the nightmare that face many people in this Yuletide Season. We recognise too that there has been recently proactive efforts to help to alleviate their plight and to reduce the burdens that were place on their backs over the last five (5) years. This is welcoming and we look forward to further reliefs in 2021.
Sugar industry – hopeful sense of renewal!
As a Union which draws a large contingent of its membership from the sugar industry, our reflection cannot fail to include this important economic activity. The industry, despite its trials and travails, remains pivotal and is a source of well-being for tens of thousands of Guyanese. It is to this day, the nation’s single largest employer and a beacon of hope for scores of communities. Indeed, the industry’s contribution is monumental and its sustenance is a matter that cannot be treated lightly.
It was, therefore, for the GAWU most disheartening to recognise the treatment meted out to the industry and its stakeholders over the last five (5) years. The industry though a child of the State was treated worse than a step child, pushed out into the cold and left to fend with scraps and bits thrown from the table. This was the disgraceful attitude of those who had to be ejected from the seat of Government. The industry was reduced to groveling while the former powers-that-be stepped on it, seeking to strip it of its prized assets. They said they wanted the industry to thrive, but starved it of the necessary inputs to ensure its success. We of the GAWU steadfastly hold that it was a deliberate and calculated attempt to slow poison the industry into death.
As history has shown us time and again, the wicked never succeed and the oppressors are always conquered. Though it could not come soon enough as was famously said “even the longest night has an end”. Indeed, the night has ended and the rays of sun have begun to shine brilliantly. Today, we see serious and aggressive attempts are being made to breathe new life back into the industry. The GAWU sees many opportunities for the industry’s success and viability. And, we recognise the active attempts to solicit the necessary investment to further these options and to bring the industry to where it really belongs, thriving and succeeding for Guyana and Guyanese.
Sugar production – a reflection of mismanagement!
Sugar production as at December 13, 2020 stood at 87,875 tonnes sugar with sugar production at the respective estates as follows:-
| Estate | First crop production | Second crop production | Annual production |
| Albion | 16,802 | 24,908 | 41,710 |
| Blairmont | 11,867 | 15,548 | 27,415 |
| Uitvlugt | 8,344 | 10,406 | 18,750 |
| Industry | 37,013 | 50,862 | 87,875 |
This year’s production will in all likelihood eclipse 2019’s production as the worse production in GuySuCo history. Our Union a few weeks ago had warned of this possibility when we had considered the data we had received at that time. As we pointed out then and reiterate again the output hardly surprises us. We say this cognizant of the terrible mis-management that plagued the industry over the last few years. Not too long ago, the Union had cause to publicly disclose that canes adjacent to the residence of the Blairmont Estate Manager was overrun by bushes and weeds. We had cause then, as we do again, to sound an alarm as we have to wonder what would be the state of canes that are out of the eyesight of the manager. This situation is rather not the exception but too often the norm. This is simply disappointing and a serious cause for concern.
The 2020 production demonstrates the enormity of tasks that are before the new Board and Management of the Corporation. We have seen recently the GuySuCo announcing that it anticipates to realise 97,000 tonnes sugar next year. While it is an improvement from the disaster of 2020 and we are hopeful that the target can not only be realised but surpassed though it is hardly a production to be ecstatic about. The industry has much greater potential and there is urgent need to grasp with the challenges to bring about the desired return. These are matters we will continue to eagerly follow and when necessary offer our comments. We have seen the disaster of estates closure and we need not nor want that again.
The re-opening of estates – the end of a long nightmare!
True to its promise, one of the first actions of the new PPP/C Administration was to live up to its commitment to reopen the closed Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates. It is a noble attempt to reverse what was considered the largest retrenchment exercise in post-independent Guyana and a concerted effort to erase that dark blot in our history. Already, several hundred workers have been re-engaged and many more are expected to become employed over the coming months. The dark clouds that have hovered over those estates since 2017 have dissipated and there is now a renewed sense of optimism. For many workers and their families they have begun to piece their lives back together though for some, life may never go back to what is once was.
That is indeed a sad reminder of how heartless were the previous bunch who paraded along the corridors of power. They sat, perched high atop their ivory towers, playing master of all as they sought, irrespective of the social and economic costs, to destroy the sugar industry and in its wake uprooting the lives of thousands of ordinary Guyanese. As a socio-economic study, that expectedly will soon be released, has found the impact has been nothing short of devastating. Now many workers are anxiously awaiting re-employment and have enlisted their names for consideration. The massive response by the workers indicates how important the estates were to them and tells us that there was simply no alternative to provide adequate and remunerative employment.
While heartened by that development, we could not help but be distressed by what was found when the rusted padlocks on the gates of the estates were finally opened. Our Union, a few weeks ago, had a chance to visit the now re-opened estates and was most distressed when we walked through the former teeming estates. We saw expensive, yes very expensive pieces of equipment just allowed to deteriorate in the weather. We saw what appeared to pieces of machinery chopped up. In some instances important components were just stripped. Our Union in 2019 had pointed out that estates assets were being disposed and the proof is in the pudding. Those who were entrusted to safeguard the Guyanese people assets should be made to account for their stewardship.
At this time, we understand that herculean efforts are being furthered to bring the closed estates back to life. Indeed, serious and dedicated efforts are required to rehabilitate the fields, clear the clogged drainage canals, repair the abandoned infrastructure and thoroughly service the factories. We know of the skill, knowledge and commitment of the sugar workers and are confident that those estates will roar back to life.
It is most vexatious therefore to see commentaries and statements emanating from some leading members of the political opposition. We have seen them using all manner of phrases and terms to denounce the Government’s support to the sugar industry. We noticed too what we consider the vile and derogatory expressions to describe the sugar industry. In as much as we are disturbed we cannot say we are surprised. The bile that has emanated from those quarters in as much as it is disappointing is not unexpected. We have seen up close the venom they have for the sugar workers and the industry. We have witnessed firsthand the hardships they inflicted and the punishment they meted out while holding the reins of Government. And, we know all too well of their desire to rid Guyana of the sugar industry as they seek to satisfy narrow political motives while ignoring the well-being of the nation and its people. Indeed, it was that pea-brained logic that found the ship of State in rough waters, the foreign reserves disappearing, the gold reserves vanishing and the country in heavy overdraft.
Wage increase for sugar workers – righting the wrong!
For the first time since 2014, sugar workers have finally received a rise-in-pay. Earlier this year, the Union and the Corporation reached an interim agreement which saw sugar workers benefitting from a five (5) per cent pay increase from January 01, 2020. The agreement reached was under the clear position that the negotiations for 2019 still remain outstanding. While the GuySuCo implemented the new rates-of-pay with effect from May 01, 2020, the workers a few weeks ago received their retroactive payments for the period January to April, 2020. The period of pay freeze was most distressing for the workers as they and their families had to contend with massive rise in the cost-of-living while their real and nominal wages plummeted.
During the period, several long standing benefits were also suspended by the sugar corporation undoubtedly with the support of the former powers-that-be. The effect in totality was utterly disturbing and represented a concerted attack on the workers conditions-of-work. As reprehensible as it was, the workers saw their colleagues in other sections of the State benefitting from pay increases and other improvements in conditions-of-work while they regressed. Even former President Forbes Burnham who had many ill things ascribed to him never treated sugar workers as derisively as his successors did.
At this time, GAWU and GuySuCo remained locked in discussions regarding the outstanding 2019 negotiations and other matters. Our Union has indicated to GuySuCo our desire to find an amicable settlement to the outstanding matters. The Corporation, for its part, has listened attentively and has committed to fully studying the matter and will respond to the Union. We are hopeful that the matter can soon be resolved favourably and that sugar workers can finally begin to receive some of the justice they deserve.
Aquaculture in the sugar industry – a tried and failed experiment!
The Union has recognised a resurgence of calls for the abandonment of the sugar industry and a transition to aquaculture. While the call and those who are making the call certainly are not new to the scene, the GAWU felt we had long thrown this matter in the refuse heap where it really belongs. Nevertheless, we see it continuing to re-appear and, therefore, has to be extinguished when the logical gaps are exposed.
The concept of aquaculture is not new or alien to the sugar industry. Similar ventures were pursued in the latter 1970s and early 1980s when GuySuCo embarked on several non-sugar ventures. Aquaculture, like all of the ventures pursued in that period, had simply disastrous results. Apart from that they diverted scarce resources and distracted from the core business of sugar. We would want to believe if aquaculture is as lucrative as it is held out to be then businessmen would be lining up to seize the opportunity. Unfortunately, they are no lines.
Transitioning to ethanol – requires greater study!
Alongside aquaculture, there has also been a great deal of talk regarding a transition to ethanol in the sugar industry. It has been argued that there exists a significant windfall from such a transition and this should be pursued with great haste. Parallel to those arguments that glitter of gold, we are knowledgeable of several studies which undermine the arguments that are being made. Those empirical studies have demonstrated that ethanol only becomes viable at a certain point. That point, we might add, is much lower than the current selling price of sugar. It appears to negate the argument.
We hold that the industry’s pilot ethanol plant should be used to prove or disprove the merits of the arguments from both sides. We of the GAWU are supportive of measures that would bring about improvement. At the same time, we hold, that any initiative must be thoroughly studied and examined to determine the feasibility of such venture in the first place. Doing otherwise, we contend, is akin to putting the cart before the horse.
Non-sugar entities
Outside of the sugar industry, our Union also represents workers from several enterprises in the other economic sectors. While our relations with those employers generally remain cordial and respectful and we continue to advance the well-being and welfare of those workers, we would have been happy to indicate that all was well. At some entities we have continued to face challenges and we continue to do our utmost to defend and advance the rights of workers.
Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) – disrespecting workers’ rights!
The foreign-owned Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) continues to disrespect the rights of its workers and flout the Laws of Guyana. For some years now, the company has refused to engage the GAWU in Collective Bargaining though it is obligated, in our view, to engage the Union. The company’s disrespectful attitude extends to the Government as well. On more than one occasion, the former Department of Labour invited to company to engagements on the matter which it simply refused to attend. The obnoxious attitude of the company is unbecoming and speaks to respect it has for the Guyanese working people.
The attitude of the company prompted the GAWU to lodge a formal complaint with the former Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB) headed by retired Justice Claudette La Bennet. The TURCB, at that time, had referred the matter to the former Attorney-General for prosecution recognising the open and close nature manner of the matter. Dismayingly, weeks and months turned into years and the then Attorney-General, from all indications, dragged his feet on the matter. One wonders whether the then Attorney-General’s attitude was related to the Union the complaint emanated from.
More recently, the GAWU resubmitted its complaint to the newly-reconstituted TURCB headed by former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul. The TURCB wrote the company emphasizing that it is obligated to engage the GAWU. The company, we are aware, has responded to the TURCB though, in our view, in an improper manner. We are hopeful that the TURCB will pursue stronger measures against the company to ensure that it complies with the spirit and letter of the law.
Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI) – disregarding workers’ rights to union representation!
The GAWU in 2019 was certified by the TURCB as the bargaining agent on behalf of employees employed by Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI). Following our certification, the GAWU approached the company with a view to formalizing our relations. To our dismaying surprise, the company, which is a subsidiary of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), refused to engage the GAWU though the Union was certified, lawfully, to speak on the workers behalf.
The Union recognising the adamant attitude of the SEI to flout the laws approached the TURCB to inform of its unbecoming behaviour. Though the TURCB had written the company on its behaviour it refused to comply with its lawful obligation. Our Union, through our attorney-at-law, also had written the company which offered a shameless explanation for its action or inaction as it were.
Our Union recently drew this matter to the attention of the reconstituted TURCB which was most upset on learning of the matter. The TURCB had sent the company a correspondence demanding that it become compliant with the law within a certain timeframe. At this time, the company has continued to blatantly flout its legal obligations. We expect that the TURCB will take stern actions to bring the company to its senses and that the workers right to union representation would be upheld.
UPDATE: SEI recently wrote GAWU to inform that it seeks to commence discussions regarding the formalization of relations between the Union and the Company. A meeting is expected to be held early in the new year.
GRDB Rice Research Station – new to the GAWU fold
The workers of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Rice Research Station at Burma are now a part of the GAWU family. The workers overwhelmingly supported the Union at a poll organized by the TURCB recently. The newest GAWU members became disillusioned with their previous union and approached the GAWU to speak on their behalf. The Union subsequently approached the TURCB on their behalf and a poll was ordered to determine whether the GAWU or the Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers (UAAW) enjoyed the majority support of the workers.
During the poll, which saw the participation of nearly the entire workforce, the GAWU secured 60 votes whereas the UAAW received 16 votes. The workers message was resoundingly clear. At this time, the GAWU is hopeful to begin engagements soon with the GRDB to formalize relations and to actively address several matters of concern to the workers.
National Minimum Wage – an urgent need for revision
The GAWU remains concerned that the year-end looms and the improvement of the National Minimum Wage still remains unresolved. In April, 2019, the National Tripartite Committee, which fields representatives from the Government, the Trade Union movement and the business community, approved unanimously an increase in the National Minimum Wages from $44,200 to $60,000 per month. Though having a clear mandate, the former Government failed to implement the new minimum wage.
The GAWU, through the FITUG, continued to champion this matter recognizing the hardships being borne by many workers and their families. This matter was represented to the new Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton soon after his assumption to office. At that time, the Minister promised to look into the matter. For the GAWU, it was, therefore, pleased to learn when the Minister indicated recently that he was prepared to approve at last the new minimum wage. However soon after the Minister’s announcement, we saw the elements of the business community expressing disagreement though acknowledging that the current minimum wage was inadequate. The business community has sought to shelter under COVID-19 to argue against the implementation of the new minimum wage.
We have to wonder which self-respecting businessperson takes joy in paying their employees just $255 per hour. Certainly, that is more than insufficient given the expenses of life yet the façade of COVID-19 is being raised to deny struggling workers a few dollars more. To know that Guyana is the fastest growing economy in the world and yet our workers are being paid just over US$1.00 per hour is utterly shameful. At the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Tripartite Committee a few days ago, the business community sought to have the new wage implemented from April, 2021. This was stoutly rejected by the workers representatives who contended that already too much time has elapsed. At this time, we in the GAWU call on Minister Hamilton to implement the decision of a properly convened National Tripartite Committee meeting and without further delay have the order issues for $60,000 per month as the new National Minimum Wages with effect from January 01, 2021.
The NIS – a source of discomfort!
As we conclude 2020, they are far too many NIS contributors and pensioners alike who continue to be denied benefits they rightly deserve. In recent times, many have moved to the press and in some instances sought an audience with President Irfaan Ali to have their matters resolved. We believe that contributors, past and present, should not have to take such extraordinary means to have their genuine matters resolved. The fact that this is occurring is indicative of the state of the NIS and more so how distressed Guyanese have become with the Scheme.
Our Union, for its part, has continued to represent union members and others who seek our assistance. Despite our best efforts, we continue to confront obstacle, after obstacle, with the Scheme. Undoubtedly, in our view, there is a need to do better and ensure that contributors duly benefit from their entitlements.
The extractive sector – safeguarding our patrimony!
The extractive sector continues to receive seminal attention as the value of our nation’s natural resources continues to grow in importance. More recently, we have seen announcement of large gold finds and re-entry of previously departed companies. We see similar interests heating up in the bauxite sector as well with several new ventures are set to get underway while exploratory works are continuing. Similar interests we have seen emerged in other areas as well.
Of course the newest star of the sector – oil – cannot go unnoticed. Indeed, we have been regaled with the caviar dreams of the windfall that awaits us. And, certainly, oil can well bring untold riches as many countries have demonstrated. But alongside those possibilities we recognise the many probabilities of pitfalls as well. We hold whether it is oil, gold, diamonds, bauxite, forestry, or whatever other rich resource our nation is blessed with, our people must come first and foremost. It is our patrimony and it is incumbent on us all to ensure that future generations benefit from our natural wealth.
Of grave concern as well is the employment practices of participants in the sector. Workers continue to complain of their rights being disrespected and certain conditions of work ignored. Worse yet workers are penalized for the mere talk of organizing themselves in a Union. We recognise the role of the State and are encouraged by the statements by the Minister of Labour who has continued to stand with the workers. For its part, the GAWU has continued to make itself available to workers who believe they have been wronged and require advice and/or representation. We believe this is our civic duty to protect our fellow citizens and to ensure that they are not exploited.
The hijacking of our democracy – a sordid affair!
2020 as we said at the commencement has been history making for several reasons. Undoubtedly, for us as Guyanese, 2020 will be an inglorious year in our history books. It will go down as when there was a barefaced attempt to hijack our democracy and disregard the will of our people. Worse yet the attempt to rig an election took place when the cameras were rolling and the world was a witness. The dastardly attempt to erase the hard-won rights of our people is something that no right-thinking Guyanese can countenance much less support. Yet, unbelievably, we saw men and women who were held in high esteem not only supporting but actively defending the attempts to besmirch our democratic character.
Had the wrongdoers succeeded in their nefarious plans, the developments we as a country has recorded and the progress we as a people have benefitted from would have disappeared in front our very eyes. That was the path a greedy few choose to take the country and its people on to safeguard their cushy perks. Yet these very people walk around calling themselves leaders. We ask how they can deem themselves leaders when they were prepared to throw under the bus the well-being and welfare of the Guyanese people to satisfy their self-interests.
The entire imbroglio exposed the several shortcomings in our elections machinery and how a compromised bunch could have hijacked an entire democracy. Indeed, we contend that those who actively conspired and participated in the attempts to deface democracy should not be anywhere near the elections machinery ever again. They have shown their partisan hands and cannot be trusted or expected for that matter to deliver credible, free and fair elections in our country. Undoubtedly, the entire episode warrants a proper and full investigation and those culpable be made to answer for their improprieties.
The entire elections imbroglio is yet another stark reminder of the fragility of our democracy and the preciousness of our rights. We should not allow anyone ever again to seek to hijack our franchise. As Guyanese we must also play an active role to not only defend but consolidate our democracy as we seek to protect it from those who seek to tarnish it for their own interests.
COVID-19 – a major blow!
COVID-19 has demonstrated to us how interconnected we are as a planet and how vulnerable we are as human beings. Indeed, too many have lost their battle to the dreaded virus and many more continue to suffer. In our own country, we have seen many persons being infected though we must recognise that our rate of recovery remains high as well. While we are heartened by that reality we remain saddened by those who have lost the battle and we send our sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved one.
We recognise that our collective actions will go a long way in minimizing the transmission of the virus. We also must take precautions and heed the advice of the professionals. We should not leave anything to chance as it could be harmful to our and our loved ones well-being. We recognise too that the economic impact has been significant and many working-people have suffered tremendously. We know too of the plight of many poorer Guyanese who have had their children’s educational pursuits gravely affected. We recognise the proactive efforts of the new Government to seek to alleviate those burdens and have cause to wonder what really were their predecessors doing while squatting in office. It appeared that the affairs of the people took a backseat to their own self-interest though the deadly COVID-19 was lurking. As we conclude 2020, we recognise the efforts being made to find a cure to the virus. This is welcome news in what has been a period of gloom. We are encouraged by the successes recorded and we are hopeful that soon enough life can regain some semblance of normalcy.
Conclusion
2020 will be remembered for a long time. It is a year that will go down for so many reasons and it is a year that we will look back with fondness. We will remember the victories as we will recall the travails. We will celebrate the successes and we take stock of the challenges. But 2020 has demonstrated once again the resilience of mankind. It has shown that in the face of adversity we can scale the tallest mountains and climb out the deepest valleys. It causes us to be imbued to go forward stronger, committed and optimistic that though intrigues will always be formed against us we will roundly defeat them.
The year demonstrated the correctness of our positions and showed that despite adversity and difficulty we can succeed to realizing our reasonable objectives. The year also brought reminded us of the difficulty of a jobless life and the heartbreak and sorrow it brings. Indeed, the year was momentous on several fronts but it ends on a positive note.
As past generations of workers have shown us we can overcome adversities and win out if our demands and struggles are just. This is their abiding lesson to us. This enduring message we should not forget. The working people must be always vigilant, militant, organizationally strong and united, and must always raise the banner of solidarity.
As we now enter a new year, we are hopeful that the trials and tribulations we faced in recent times can be erased. We are hopeful that injustices perpetuated can be righted. And, we are hopeful that a better tomorrow will dawn.
Finally, at this time, we take this opportunity to extend best wishes for the Season to all Guyanese. May the New Year bring you all joy, happiness and prosperity.
Thank you
