Rose Hall Estate sugar workers braved the inclement weather on Tuesday morning to protest in font of their estate, registering their concerns over its possible closure.
The workers in their demonstrations pointed to the grave consequences that would emerge economically and socially if the estate is closed.
Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) General Secretary, Seepaul Narine who took part in the exercise and addressed the workers at its conclusion encouraged the workers to heighten their calls against the closure plans.
Today’s protest come on the heels of another that was held on Tuesday last, where hundreds of workers turned up to demonstrate outside the Estate’s Administrative Office.
Backed by GAWU, the workers vented their anger at the announcement made by the President recently that Albion, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt Estates will remain open, which to them was as an indication that Rose Hall is one fingered for closure.
They say they are now faced with the real prospect of joblessness and impoverishment.
GAWU had said that the closure of the Rose Hall estate- when an account is taken of workers, their families, shop owners, service providers and others- will affect thousands of ordinary Guyanese.
Meanwhile, at Monday’s May Day rally Government used the opportunity to remind workers that certain “hard” decisions would have to be taken in the sugar industry given its unprofitability.
Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman reminded those gathered at the rally that the coalition Government had invested $32 billion in the industry over the past 21 months.
This money was used mainly to subsidise wages for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).
Trotman said, “The time has come for change” and “a failing organ cannot be treated with an aspirin”. He asserted, “It is now necessary for some difficult decisions to be made.”
