While hundreds of sugar workers across the country downed their tools today as part of their “one day per week” strike, operations still continued at the four sugar estates which are presently grinding.
INews understands that the Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and the Blairmont Sugar Estate, West Bank Berbice (WBB) were the hardest hit estates where there was only a 20 per cent and 25 per cent turnout of employees today.
Meanwhile, at the Albion Sugar Estate, Berbice, while operations were affected to an extent there was still an average of 70 per cent of the work force on duty.
At the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, West Coast Demerara (WCD) a small number of workers did not turn up to execute their duties. It must be noted that due to the majority of workers being present today at this sugar estate, operations continued as per norm.
Presently, the two sugar estates located at Enmore and La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and the two Berbice sugar estates located at Rose Hall and Skeldon are not grinding since they are “out of crop.”
However, these four sugar estates and factories are expected to commence operations for this crop from this weekend.
On Monday, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand said while cane harvesting would be taking place within the various sugar estates, workers have agreed to down tools to address three main issues affecting the workers of the Wales Sugar Estate.
“Workers are committed to downing their tools to address three main issues: the first issue being that persons are seeking to engage once again in collective bargaining; secondly, workers need to have their [Annual Performance Incentive] API disputes settled and thirdly, to provide solidarity with the Wales workers,” Chand explained.
The positive of this so called strike is that, majority of the workers came out and show leadership and to their colleagues that they need to work and secure the survival of their respective estates.
Where was Komal when Diamond and LBI was being closed, in his mouse trap. He have suddenly become a rejuvenated action man after the his party lose power. What can be more crystal than he is only using the workers for his political gain and empowerment. This is total self serving nothing in it for the workers. Remove him from GAWU leadership and his party oust him.
Sugar workers will reject his one day strike call, wait and watch.
Better sense will prevail the brethren in sugar na so stupidy like land time.