Combat: June/July, 2017

Issue#3 Volume#38

Combat Voice of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

Editorial

A floundering economy: its impact on Guyana’s workers The APNU/AFC Coalition was elected largely on the promise of a ‘Good Life for all Guyanese’. It was a euphoric undertaking that convinced many voting-age Guyanese to support the coalitioned political parties. At this time, the Administration has held the reins of power for more than two (2) years, but how have the working-people fared in that period?

Has the promise of a ‘Good Life’ been realized? Is it on the horizon? Or was it merely a mirage? In answering these questions, a critical examination of the Government’s stewardship is necessary.

In the Administration’s tenure, we have seen the presentation of three (3) budgets, and in a few months’ time a fourth, would be presented. Through those fiscal plans, we see now-a-days workers and their families confronting a higher cost-of-living, brought about by increase in several taxes, the introduction of new taxes, and the application of taxes on previously untaxed goods and services - such as electricity, water, private medical services and private education.

As a result, unsurprisingly, the Government’s revenue collection body – the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) – reported a substantial rise in tax collection.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s, Monthly Economic Bulletin for March, 2017, the most recent available, tax revenues increased substantially, with a 29 per cent increase recorded for the year as at February, 2017 when compared with a similar period in 2016.

Alongside the heavy tax measures, the working people are facing rising cost of living. Data from the Finance Ministry indicated that prices rose by 3 per cent between February, 2016 and February, 2017.

According to the Monthly Economic Bulletin, “the major driver behind the inflation rate continues to be rising food prices… as well as increased prices for medical care and transportation and communication”.

The working people are, among other things, also forced to contend now-a-days with the withdrawal of the school child subsidy; and the unannounced and unexpected removal of the electricity and water subsidies to pensioners. In such circumstances, the lives of working-people have obviously become more difficult and tenuous.

Alongside steadily increasing living costs, we see the nation’s major economic sectors experiencing mixed results. At the end of February 2017, when compared with the same period in 2016, the sugar industry recorded a 40 per cent contraction; Continued on page two (2) COMBAT

June/July 2017

June/July, 2017

Sugar industry ‘stewardship’ very questionable - GuySuCo on track to deliver worst production in 27 years

A worker cutting canes. This year, GuySuCo is expected to produce its lowest output in 27 years. The sugar company has in recent times benefited from substantial Government support, but production has fallen by 25 per cent between 2015 and the expected 2017 production. Obviously, the efforts of those charged with managing the industry are questionable

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) must once again express its concern over the direction and operation of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo). Such concern is obviously justified ,bearing in mind that thousands of Guyanese not only depend on the industry in one way or another for their well-being and sustenance, but, as taxpayers, they also provide the financial support to the sugar company.

Given the industry’s wide reach and the magnitude of its responsibilities, its success and viability are very much important to Guyana’s future and prosperity.

Taking those factors into account, and given the current state of affairs in the Corporation, we are puzzled that alarm bells are not being sounded; and if they are sounded, they are not being heard by those who are in charge of managing GuySuCo’s affairs. According to the Corporation’s 2017 factory production schedule, the sugar company is on track to deliver its lowest production in twenty-seven (27) years. The 2017 second crop, now in infancy stage, is expected to see the six (6) grinding estates producing aggregately 124,844 tonnes sugar. That target, when taken together with the miserable 2017 first crop output of 49,599 tonnes sugar, will see the sugar company producing 174,443 tonnes sugar this year. This is an abysmally low target, given the company’s potential and the huge financial resources at its

disposal. It is the lowest production since 1990, when 129,920 tonnes sugar was produced. At the beginning of the year, the Corporation had set itself to produce 198,458 tonnes sugar – 74,172 tonnes in the first crop and 124,286 tonnes in the second crop. It means, therefore, that the actual production this year will be 24,000 tonnes less than projection, and this takes into consideration that the company’s target of 124,844 tonnes will be achieved. Given the company’s track record of hardly, within recent times, achieving anything near to its target, the 124,844 could even be in jeopardy.

The expected sugar production at the various estates is as follows:Estate

F/Crop actual

S/crop estimate Skeldon 0 30,097 Albion 18,326 32,521 Rose Hall 9,090 19,682 Blairmont 9,035 19,320 Enmore 6,073 12,991 Uitvlugt 7,045 10,223 Total 49,599 124,844 Continued on page fifteeen (15)

Year estimate 30,097 50,847 28,772 28,385 19,064 17,269 174,443 PAGE ONE

GuySuCo’s policies pushing away workers arrogant approach taken to their concerns at the workplace, among other things, have all not been helpful in encouraging a positive approach to the industry’s ‘best minds’.

From the press reports, we have recognized that the Management continues to lament the turnout of cane cutters, but does not seem to offer any rationale whatsoever for the situation. Certainly, it seems GuySuCo’s ‘best minds’ are more reactive than proactive. Though turnout is said to be around 60 per cent, we hasten to ask GuySuCo The very poor turnout of workers and residents at the GuySuCo community meeting held at Rose Hall on July what percentage of cane 18, 2017. Meetings held at other estates had similar attendances. Photo courtesy of Stabroek News cutters qualified for Holiday-with-Pay (HWP) The Guyana Agricultural and General actions of the Corporation in the last two Workers Union (GAWU) has followed (2) years have not been helpful in main- benefit in the 2017 first crop and the 2016 several press reports which focused on taining the generally positive relations first and second crops. It should be noted the various community meetings orga- between the Company and the workers that in order for workers to receive this nized by the Guyana Sugar Corporation and their representative organisations. benefit, they (the workers) must work Inc (GuySuCo) at a number of estates. Certainly, workers being forced to work a certain number of days each week, or Those meetings, we recognized from the at their 2014 rates of pay in year 2017; or accumulatively over the crop. The sharpictures appearing in the media, seemed the significant curtailing of their Annu- ing of such data, we believe, would be into be very poorly attended, despite what al Production Incentive (API) in 2015, structive in bringing greater clarity to the we understand are great efforts by the and its outright denial in 2016; or certain matter.

It is also a known fact that the industry Management to organize and encourage changes to the Weekly Production Incenworkers to attend. We wonder whether tive (WPI) scheme significantly restrict- does not offer year-round work. For inthe Corporation doesn’t find it strange ing workers benefiting from the scheme; stance, the 2017 second crop will see esthat its highly-marketed encounters see or the denial of workers the opportunity tates operating for not more than sixteen just a handful of workers in attendance. to obtain trade union education, or to (16) weeks. When the first crop, which From all appearances, it seems that the be granted paid-release to attend their lasted about ten (10) weeks, is taken into chickens are coming home to roost. The Union’s Congress; or the haughty and account, it means that workers would

A floundering economy...

Continued from page one (1) the forestry sector a 27 per cent decline, and bauxite declined by 18 per cent; whereas only gold recorded a 14 per cent improvement in the period. The situation has negatively impacted our foreign exchange earnings, resulting in a depreciation of our currency vis-à-vis the US dollar.

For our young people, job availability is evaporating. Jobs are these days more difficult to come by. Several enterprises have closed their doors, and others are operating with lesser staffers. It is estimated that several thousands have been pushed onto the breadline in the last two (2) years. The situation will become even more harrowing, as several sugar estates have been identified for closure and sellout, following the closure of Wales. The Administration’s sugar direction will see about 9,000 persons being pushed onto COMBAT

June/July 2017

the road with very little prospects to secure employment.

Clearly, the situation for the Guyanese workers, contrary to the high expectations, is very grim. We are already seeing a reversal of the steady improvement recorded in the last quarter century. The situation, as it appears, will seem to become difficult in the days and months ahead.

The highly-touted oil and gas industry does not seem to be the magic bullet that will resolve all our problems. Already, we have seen job prospects are slim, with one of the recently established oil enterprise advising that though it has 100 vacancies, it has received over 2,000 applications.

Clearly, labour is in oversupply, and in such circumstances, workers’ rights and benefits tend to be overlooked and/or face reduction.

The ‘Good Life’ seems to be more elusive than the lost city of El Dorado.

be offered in-crop employment for only about half of the year. This is a far cry from what prevailed in the past, when the two (2) crops lasted for about thirty-five (35) to thirty-eight (38) weeks per year. Even in the cropping period, they are uncertain about the situation they would face when they arrive at work, and whether their rights would be respected.

The workers, quite obviously, will seek to secure alternative employment in order to augment their incomes and maintain their families. Undoubtedly, workers’ commitment, when taken together with assault on their benefits and threats to their livelihood that they now face, will obviously wane.

This situation is not new or unique to the sugar industry, and it is almost like déjà vu. We recall a similar situation prevailed in the latter 1980s, and the workers returned to work when their rates-ofpay and benefits were aligned with reality in the early 1990s. Even before that, the sugar barons allocated abandoned cane fields to workers to pursue peasant farming in order to assist them during the out-of-crop periods. It is perplexing that the Corporation, having recruited in recent times several individuals who were associated with the industry in the pre- and post-nationalization period of 1976, have not recognized this reality and seek to employ corrective measures. But rather, they seek to embrace policies that have pushed, and will continue to push, workers away from the sugar company.

No wonder the New GuySuCo Community Outreach Programme is so sparsely attended.

Fraternal overseas unions in solidarity with sugar workers’ struggles

Messages of solidarity from fraternal overseas unions are reaching the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Noel Holder, expressing those Unions and their members’ unstinted solidarity and support to the sugar workers who are struggling in defence of their jobs and seeking to prevent their families from being pushed into poverty. The messages expressed

caution to the Guyana Government in regard to the serious consequences of the Administration’s intention on sugar.

The GAWU is most pleased with the support, and wishes to express its sincere appreciation to those Unions and their members for their solidarity and support at this challenging moment.

PAGE TWO

GuySuCo now-a-days rulers moving back to those times when the plantocracy ruled the roost the shop stewards and the Management. It is therefore befuddling to say that price-gouging is occurring, when both sides have to agree on the price.

Mr John, it seems, is confused. As a former Personnel Director, Mr. John, you should know that a wellgrown crop of canes, free of bushes and vines, will certainly minimize the need for obstacle payments. So, Mr. John, in your current position, rather than criticizing the payment for obstacles, you should advocate that the company grow canes in fields Workers and others at the Union’s march and public meeting at Albion on June 20, 2017. GuySuCo’s HR Direcdevoid of grass, bushtor, Earl John, in a letter to the newspapers, criticised our Union for standing up and defending workers’ rights es and vines.

The Guyana Agricultural and General given his re-employment and newly-apFurther, on the matter of obstacles, the Workers Union (GAWU) believes it is pointed post in GuySuCo as the Human incumbent upon the Union, as a respon- Resources Director, responsible for la- Recognition and the Avoidance and Setsible Union, to respond to Mr Earl John’s bour relations. Certainly, the learned and tlement of Disputes Agreement, signed letter appearing in the July 01, 2017 Sta- experienced individual that Mr John is in 1976 between GAWU and the Sugar broek News under the caption “GAWU supposed to be; he ought to know better Producers Association (SPA) – GuySumust be the most outdated institution of than to formally engage the Union, shirk- Co’s forerunner, conceded workers’ right its kind”. Our Union, on one hand holds, ing from his responsibility and airing his to withdraw their labour when an agreethat Mr John is writing in his personal ca- discontent in the public domain rather ment on pricing cannot not be reached. pacity, albeit it is difficult to delink him than competently discharging his duties This condition also prevailed in the prefrom the very senior position he holds in to GuySuCo and the Guyanese people in decessor Union/SPA agreement. Mr John is well aware of this, or is just being conthe Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (Guy- general. veniently forgetful. On this matter, too, SuCo), and his letter focused on the very company he is currently employed with.

The letter further speaks to our support our Union had proposed to GuySuCo, of the Skeldon project, which Mr John Mr John, the latest of several persons describes as a “failed computerised eleto have criticized our Union for its prin- phantine factory”. While Mr John, for reacipled stance, speaks to the relevance of sons best known to himself, has chosen “customs and practices”. The gentleman is to describe the Skeldon factory in such no stranger to the sugar industry, having terms, we read and hear about the high been involved in the industry since colo- interest being paid by foreigners in seeknial times, and thus he is very well aware ing to acquire the estate. Certainly, either that those “customs and practices” he de- the buyers have to be absolutely insane, cries arose from the unique nature of the or Mr John is maybe, not acquainted with operations in the sugar industry. And the reality of our times; having been out he should be equally aware that it was of sugar for almost two (2) decades. during his time as the Personnel Director that many of those same “customs and Mr John goes on to speak about workers’ practices” were established and became demands for “obstacle” payments which institutionalized as a part of the condi- are payments given to workers when they CARICOM Rice Mills The Guyana Agricultural and Gentions of work of the sugar workers. are required to exert extra effort to cut canes wrapped in vines, shrubs and bush- eral Workers Union (GAWU) and the It seems Mr John is advocating that es, in grass-infested fields. The notion of Caricom Rice Mills Limited (CRML), workers not be paid for the labour they obstacle payments predates GAWU’s en- through collective bargaining, have provide to the industry. Our Union is try into the sugar industry and gives rec- agreed to a five (5) per cent wage/salary of the view rather than airing his dis- ognition to the significant efforts required increase retroactive to January 01, 2017. content in the media Mr John should by workers in harvesting canes in such The Union and the Company also agreed seek to meaningfully engage the Union conditions. Furthermore, the quantum of that shift premium, dust, height and leave in discussions on the matter, especially those payments is determined between allowances would also be increased by

some years ago, that where a worker is required to cut canes in abnormal conditions, that worker would undertake his task but would not be paid less than his average daily earnings for some number of preceding days. Maybe Mr John, who is now in the driver’s seat on labour matters, could consider this suggestion.

The talk about the number of strikes by the sugar workers seems to be a sore point for Mr John. He is obviously saying that workers should not utter a word when the Management seeks to take advantage of them and rides roughshod over their rights and benefits. While an inference is drawn regarding the strikes vis-à-vis what takes place regionally, those facts cannot be disconnected from the respect employers locally and regionally give their employees and their representative organisations. Rather than the contemporary enlightened approach, we see GuySuCo now-a-days rulers moving back to those times when the plantocracy ruled the roost, and workers were seen as mere faceless pawns who had no rights and were regarded as fit to do back-breaking work to fatten the owners and their hangers-on.

We wish to say to Mr John and those who seek to push workers back to those colonial times that he/they can only consciously or unconsciously do greater harm to the industry and also the country. GAWU wishes to assure Mr. John that, at all cost, it will relentlessly oppose any attempt to take workers back to those times.

CRML workers receive 5% wage hike

COMBAT

June/July 2017

five (5) per cent. The Union’s team was led by its General Secretary, Cde Seepaul Narine, and included the shop stewards at CRML whereas the Company was represented by its General Manager.

Caricom Rice Mills Limited (CRML), situated at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, is the only rice mill in Guyana with unionized workers.

PAGE THREE

GAWU will stand by, and struggle with, the workers as they face assaults and challenges - too many Guyanese will suffer The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union cision to “close a few estates” and put 9,000 people out of ly and wrongly refused the workers’ legitimate request.

(GAWU) has taken note of Mr Abel Seetaram’s letter ti- work so that “GuySuCo could be profitable again” still a That matter is now engaging the attention of the Court. tled “PPP & GAWU destroyed sugar”, which appeared prudent decision, Mr. Seetaram?

Mr Seetaram, our Union resisted and expressed its in the July 13, 2017 edition of the Guyana Chronicle.

We then see Mr Seetaram seemingly criticizing our disagreement, in the highest order, with respect to all the As a responsible organisation, our Union believes that Union for not striking during the 1992 – May, 2015 pe- decisions on closures. A simple internet search would be we need to respond to this letter written under Mr See- riod. But then we see GuySuCo, repeatedly through its edifying, we believe. You may also want to consult with taram’s name, because he persistently blows hot air in missives in the press and elsewhere, accusing the Union your comrades, as they should be very much aware of the letter columns. We have repeatedly stated that this of striking too much; and incidentally, the highest num- what really transpired. propaganda-styled letter, similar to those earlier sent by ber of strikes occurred during that very period that SeeMr Seetaram repeats another charge - that anti-Union Seetaram, seems to be authored by a person who is ob- taram cited. We remind the Councillor that you he have elements have levelled at us - that we are only concerned viously upset by our Union’s outspoken and just stance his cake and eat it too. with dues. This is furthest from the truth as one could on the diabolical plans for sugar.

Mr Seetaram, despite repeated clarifications by GAWU be. On this score, we ask the Councillor if there is merMr Seetaram, in his diatribe, charged that our Union and others regarding the closure of Diamond and LBI it in what he saying! Our Union has called for the LBI was sleeping between 1992 and May, 2015. Clearly, Mr Estates, you continue to make incorrect and misleading and Wales workers to receive their severance. Certainly, Seetaram is not acquainted with the GAWU’s work; and statements. We wonder whether it is a case of you being a great lot of those workers will very well seek employindeed it seems that it is Mr Seetaram who was asleep confused, as it seems you are, or whether you are just ment outside of sugar, and therefore cannot pay dues. It ,and clearly is still asleep. In that period, like in all previ- being mischievous. Whatever the case may be, please al- seems, the author is not rationally considering the letter ous years, the GAWU continued to champion the cause low these facts to sink in. Diamond Estate was closed in he has signed. and articulate the concerns of workers in the sugar in- 1985 when the factory and a large part of the cultivation Mr Seetaram continues saying that the industry should dustry. Through our representation, workers’ rights and was shuttered. What remained of the cane cultivation have begun a diversification programme since in the late benefits steadily improved, and they and 1990s/early 2000s. But that was done, as their families have been enjoying a betwe see the construction of a steam/diesel ter quality of life. However, those years of electricity generation plant at Skeldon, improvement are currently being underwhich incidentally earned $9.5B last year; mined by the actions - seemingly aided and construction of packaging facilities and abetted by Mr Seetaram’s party - of at Blairmont and Enmore. Furthermore, the Government and the recently coined several studies found that co-generation ‘New GuySuCo’. We need not remind Mr plants at Albion, Blairmont and Enmore Seetaram that sugar workers are the only were viable, as well as the establishment group of State employees who have had of a refinery at Skeldon and a distillery at their pay stagnated at the 2014 levels in Albion. So, Mr Seetaram, a programme of spite of the rise in the cost of living; nor do diversification was actively being pursued, we have to remind him about the reduced and with good results too. Mr Seetaram, API in 2015, and its outright denial in time you wake up; after all, you’re a Coun2016. He also should be well aware of the cillor still. But despite the extensive work withdrawal of other long-standing estabthat was done, this is now being torpelished benefits, such as release-with-pay to doed by the Coalition and replaced with attend the Union’s Congress or to particithe revival of the failed “other crops” propate in educational courses organized by gramme in GuySuCo. the Union. And since he writes with such The author then goes on to speak about knowledge of the sugar industry, he ought the Skeldon project, and charges: “how to know, too, of the flagrant violations of can you modernize something for the futhe laws of the land, the collective labour Workers, residents and other at the GAWU-organised public meeting at Skeldon on June 06, ture that has no future”? The statement agreement, international labour conven- 2017. GAWU for its forthright stance in defending sugar workers has come under attack and undoubtedly exposes Mr Seetaram’s obvitions, long-standing principles and prac- criticism by several persons, including Region #5 councillor, Abel Seetaram ously confused state-of-mind. as, among tices, and even our sacred Constitution other things, the entire project was scrucommitted by the state-owned sugar company. While remained operable until 2011, when the 300-odd work- tinized and then approved by the international finanthe AFC Region #5 Councillor accuses us of fooling ers received their redundancy pay, in keeping with their cial institutions i.e. the IMF and World Bank. Certainly, workers, the Union questions what deceit he is referring rights as outlined in the Termination of Employment their experts would have taken into account the future to, for the facts speak for themselves and do not support and Severance Pay Act. Interestingly, it is the same law in arriving at their conclusions. And while the Skeldon your propagandistic outbursts. that GuySuCo is now flouting in the case of the Wales factory is labelled as “failed” we hasten to say to Mr SeeMr Seetaram then goes on to say a “few estates...will be workers, though a precedent has been established. Mr taram buyers, including a team that should be known by closed so as to make Guysuco and the sugar industry prof- Seetaram, if you weren’t aware, many of those former his party, are expressing their ready interest in acquiring itable again”. This has to be one of the most irresponsi- Diamond workers took up work at Wales until that es- the factory. The actions we see playing out certainly cast ble statements of our time. Mr Seetaram, if you are not tate was placed on the chopping block without any plans doubt on the statements in the letter. aware, in making GuySuCo what you consider prof- for the people who were dependent on its operations. In We then are told that, instead of Skeldon, a fund of itable, 9,000 persons have to be sent to the breadline; the case of LBI, the factory was closed in 2011, and the some sorts should have been set up to assist sugar work50,000 would be faced with imminent impoverishment; 137 workers were absorbed in the Enmore factory, the ers to become entrepreneurs. Well, what a grand suggessocial and economic life in scores of communities would Enmore packaging plant, and the LBI field and factory tion; but we wonder if, for instance, all or many of the be shattered; and crime, family-breakup and anti-social workshops. LBI Estate, however, was closed in the sec- sugar workers become businessmen and women, where behaviour would, in all likelihood, become more ram- ond half of 2016, when several departments were closed will their customers come from, especially in light of a pant. This, Mr Seetaram, is to be expected, as we see the and a number of the workers were transferred to En- declining population? If Mr Seetaram is so convinced realities now partially playing out in the communities more, or in some cases made redundant. Our Union also about this, why is he not making similar suggestions to of Wales. We ask: shouldn’t people, and not profits be demanded severance for the transferred LBI workers, as his ‘comrades’ who are now in the driver’s seat? Is it a foremost? When the business environment is downsiz- their jobs had become redundant. Again notwithstand- case of empty barrels making the most noise? ing and investors’ confidence is being eroded, is the de- ing the law and the precedent, GuySuCo has adamant- Continued on page fourteen (14) COMBAT

June/July 2017

PAGE FOUR

GAWU has a proud record of standing in the workers corner and, will remain so doing- union not daunted by half-truths and untruths Union and GuySuCo the day before. The Corporation should also advise the nation why is it that despite Enmore/LBI Estate cultivation being conducive to mechanized cane harvesting that the operation wasn’t pursued at the Estate during the first crop especially in view of its enhanced productivity and cost-effectiveness and more so given that Skeldon’s entire fleet of harvesters were not utilized in the absence of a crop at that estate.

We are once again criticized for advising the Wales cane cutters and cane transport operators of their rights. Our Union, Ms Thomas, is duty-bound in this regard. The workers obviously having heard from the Union would have rationally considered their options. This is borne out in the June 19, 2017 Stabroek News in which former worker – Eion Fernandes – in reference to the workers demand for severance is quoted to have said:- “We put our matter to GAWU that we don’t want to go and they are just supporting us”.

GuySuCo also calls attention to the workers protest at Rose Hall on May 12, 2017. May we remind GuySuCo, that the workers, like all Guyanese, have a constitutional right to protest? While the Corporation advised that the some number of workers This worker whose placard read “Save Rose Hall and Emore Estates or else starvation” succinctly sums up what would face the should have been cooperative, the GuySuCo fails to people should the plans for sugar be fully pursued recognize that its un-cooperative approach with the The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union seek similar relations with GuySuCo, but in the Corpoworkers and the Union certainly would not yield the (GAWU) wishes to respond to a letter from the Guyana ration’s eyes, for reasons best known to itself, we have kind of attitude it desires.

Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) titled, “Sugar work- seemingly been deemed persona non grata in the last ers have rights and the right to be responsible”, which two (2) years.

The Corporation then talks about its Management being was published on June 29, 2017 by Kaieteur News and ‘good stewards’. Their stewardship has seen production authored by the Corporation’s Senior Communications The Union is being accused of not educating workers moving from 231,000 tonnes sugar in 2015 to a miseraOfficer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas. Through this letter, on their responsibilities. This, Ms Thomas, is of furthest ble 183,000 tonnes in 2016 and below 50,000 tonnes in GuySuCo continues its relentless campaign of peddling from the truth as one could be. GAWU, through its the first crop 2017. Their stewardship has seen the disfalsehoods, which have so far failed to gain any traction education programme, has been informing workers of placement of hundreds of workers at Wales furthering with the sugar workers and many Guyanese. both their rights and responsibilities. In fact, GuySuCo poverty, criminality, depravity and other social issues in has always previously been invited by GAWU to send the communities linked to the Estate. Their stewardship We again wish to advise Ms Thomas and GuySu- its personnel to a number of 5-day training courses that is seeing plans furthered to close estates and push onto Co that we are very much aware of our responsibility have been organized for sugar workers. It was fertile the breadline thousands and in that process destroy the to our members, and under no circumstance will we ground for the Corporation’s representatives to lecture social fabric of many communities. Their stewardship shirk from our legal responsibility. It is the pursuance the workers about matters in the company’s interests. has seen the laws of the country, agreements, internaof our legal and moral obligations that has, no doubt, But now, unfortunately, that worthwhile endeavour has tional conventions, long-standing principles, time-honcaused the Corporation to become irked and to resort to been undermined by the Corporation’s actions in deny- oured traditions and practices being openly disrespectlashing out like a spoilt child. We also recognize that a ing workers paid-release to attend those courses which ed and flouted. The GAWU is at a loss to see the ‘good successful, viable sugar industry is in the interest of the are provided for in the extant collective labour agree- stewards’ Ms Thomas speaks so highly about. workers and the nation. It is against that backdrop that ment. We hasten to point out that the Corporation’s dewe have been strong and consistent in our view that the cision runs counter to that legally-binding agreement, We are also told by Ms Thomas that she wishes to see decisions that are being taken for the industry will not and it is another attack on the workers and Union.

GAWU advising workers on the opportunities which lend to the success and viability that all Guyanese desire are available and would emerge from GuySuCo’s re-orand want for the sugar industry. The GAWU will conThe Corporation, once again, speaks to the refusal of ganisation. But we ask what the opportunities are. At tinue to express its views with respect to the decisions cane planters of Enmore/LBI Estate to undertake cane Wales, besides rice, which has limited involvement of on sugar. cutting tasks in the first crop 2017. On several occasions, the Wales workers, there is no other opportunity, unless we have painfully pointed out that the Corporation’s Ms Thomas meant to say there is an increased opportuThe Corporation’s Officer then goes on to say that request of the planters was contrary to the established nity for the people of Wales to slide into poverty, depravGAWU’s behaviour would be different had GuySuCo agreement and long-standing practices. That is why the ity and suffering. been a private entity. For Ms Thomas’s information, workers, in the first place, refused to undertake cane GAWU also represents workers in the private sector, cutting tasks. We felt by now the Corporation would Our Union which has been singled out for consistent and unlike GuySuCo, those employers treat their work- have stopped flogging that dead horse. We also wish to attack by the sugar corporation and its apologists but will ers and the Union with respect. Our relations with the advise Ms Thomas, if she isn’t aware, it is as a result of not be daunted by the ever-expanding web of half-truths private sector employers have generally been amicable, our Union’s proactive involvement that the cane cut- and untruths. GAWU has a proud record of standing in and we hardly, if at all, encounter anti-worker or an- ters of Enmore/LBI returned to work on May 26, 2017 the workers ‘corner and will remain so doing. ti-Union expressions in our negotiations with them. We following a meeting between the central officers of the COMBAT

June/July 2017

PAGE FIVE

FITUG says:

Cabinet responsible for the recent prison tragedy

The country’s main prison at Camp Street in Georgetown on fire on July 19, 2017. The fire saw the escape of a number of prisoners, and has served to heighten anxiety and concern among citizens

The country’s majority workers’ representative does not wish to be regarded as some anti-Government pressure group given to frequent criticism of the APNU/ AFC Administration.

But as the country’s premier working-class labour advocate, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) finds it difficult to remain silent when the Government’s consistent blunders result in social upheavals, wide spread societal fear, and transparent incompetency with regard to national security. The repeat prison riot, arson and getaway is a case in point.

Camouflaging its delays and neglect with numerous forensic audits and Commissions of Inquiry, the Granger-government seeks to be seen as logistically scientific when in fact the findings of the inquiries are used to implement studied delays, or are virtually shelved, as seen with the CoI in the sugar industry. The recommendations of the post-March, 2016 Camp Street Prison fire and fatalities were quietly ignored, even though those vital proposals required little or zero financing. Similarly, it took the July ninth carnage to prod the authorities to implement hasty, if temporarily, “judicial reform” regarding sentencing and bail.

Again, the latter cost nothing.

So the excuse about contending priorities within the recent budgets cannot hold water. That is why FITUG promotes the view that responsibility – if not blame – lies squarely at the feet of the APNU/ AFC Cabinet. The President and his Finance Minister – not to mention his poor AFC Vice-President, Mr Ramjattan – all erred in not hastening prison reform rec-

ommendations that could have been implemented after the COI of 2016. Look back at the priorities now – beginning prison upgrades or a new Durban Park?

Training better prison officers or costly 2016 Jubilee celebrations? Expanding Mazaruni and upgrading Timehri and Lusignan or holding numerous Commissions of Inquiry? Now on the July 09 arson and breakout, we have yet another Inquiry.

FITUG advises that Cabinet members abandon all planned non-productive overseas trips, if they are serious about cost cutting to service priority areas.

In the face of current anxieties and outright fear among the populace, especially in rural communities which escapees like to target, President Granger would do well to absolve his Public Security Vice President, under whose watch two massive prison tragedies occurred. Two (2) years in Government, with much-vaunted security and military servants on the payroll, was enough time to establish more reliable protocols at Camp Street.

Must there be more recommendations on top of the 2016 recommendations?

FITUG urges the Coalition Cabinet to look again at national security priorities. In the capital, Georgetown, agencies such as GWI, Public Infrastructure, Public Security, Army, Police and Civil Defence must sit down with the Legal Affairs people and the Judiciary to hammer out lasting solutions for the prisons, and ultimately the populace at large. The Government may also want to involve the Parliamentary Opposition in this thrust.

FITUG holds the Cabinet and Government responsible for the present security difficulties.

GuySuCo threatening Wales’ workers

Workers of Wales passionately engaging GuySuCo’s officials at a community meeting held on June 29, 2017. The workers, in keeping with the laws, are demanding their redundancy payments, since their jobs have now become redundant. GuySuCo, however, is maintaining that the workers must take up work at Uitvlugt Estate, some 22 miles away. The Corporation’s demand is contrary to what is set out in the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. Photo courtesy of Guyana Chronicle

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was disturbed to read the article in the June 30, 2017 Guyana Chronicle, titled “Keep your jobs”, that reported the events of a community meeting, hosted by GuySuCo at the Wales Community Centre on June 29, 2017.

The article, among other things, quoted GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager (CIRM) as saying “…if the employees continue to refuse work, they are liable to terminate their own employment and lose severance pay as well as all those benefits”.

The GAWU wishes to remind GuySuCo that as a result of its steadfast position in refusing to provide the 350-odd Wales cane cutters and cane transport operators their redundancy payments, it is acting contrary to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA).

On this score, we wish to again point out that the Union was forced to take the matter to Court in order for the workers’ rights to be respected and upheld. In view of the matter in being Court, should the Corporation decide to terminate the workers concerned, as articulated by the CIRM, it would obviously be engaging in contemptuous behaviour.

The CIRM, according to the Chronicle, reportedly goes on to say “…the workers agreed to remain on the Wales Estate payroll and be transported to Uitvlugt for work”. This is plainly wrong and de-

ceptive. Maybe the erstwhile gentleman is imagining things. To set the record straight, the Corporation invited the Union to a meeting on February 01, 2017 at the LBI Staff Club, where it communicated that it wished to have the Wales workers going to Uitvlugt. The workers’ representatives and Union, in response, suggested that the workers be consulted individually, since previously the Corporation had committed to providing them with their redundancy pay should they so desire. The request was agreed to by GuySuCo. Those consultation exercises were to be held on February 08 and 09, 2017 at the Wales Community Centre. At the first consultative exercise, on the morning of February 08, 2017, the workers demanded their severance. The scheduled consultations in the afternoon of February 08 and 09, 2017 were not held. Attempts to further address the matter were resisted by the Corporation thus the Union’s decision to seek legal intervention.

The Corporation’s ill-defined threat by its CIRM shows the depth to which it would sink to compel the workers to go to Uitvlugt. The fact is that the law is on the side of the workers, and all that the Union is seeking from the Corporation is for it to honour its statutory obligations and abandon its cunningly crafted schemes that promote the wretched system of forced labour in our society.

Do you know?

Sugar plans will bring hardship and place greater economic burdens on workers and communities!

COMBAT

June/July 2017

PAGE SIX

GAWU asks APNU

If sugar plans are the promised ‘Good Life’ The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), having read the APNU column – Facing reality GUYSUCO – which appeared in the June 25, 2017 Kaieteur News, finds it necessary to offer a response to some of the assertions made therein.

Our Union must, at the outset, admit that it is pleasing to see the APNU referring to the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI), especially since its one of the more costly CoI’s that were established since the APNU/AFC took the reins of power.

GAWU - and we are sure many others was of the view that the Coalition forgot about the CoI, as there is hardly any reference to it now-a-days, and none of the recommendations it made is seemingly being adopted.

At this juncture, we must remind the APNU that the CoI clearly, unambiguously and without contradiction recommended that no estate be closed, yet we see one estate already closed and two (2) more slated for closure. That CoI also said that non-sugar diversification, were they to be pursued, should be done on non-sugar lands, recognizing the uncertainties with such ventures as well as the limited employment prospects. Moreover, the CoI recommended that the industry pursue diversification into areas such as electricity production, refined sugar, and other sugar cane by-products.

Clearly, as we see from the Government’s plans, the CoI report has been placed on a shelf to gather dust, and its findings and conclusions may not have been the tune the Government wanted to hear.

The APNU also drew to attention an important finding that, despite production falling by 14 per cent between 2006 and 2015, foreign exchange earnings fell only by 6 per cent. This statistic serves to illustrate how important the industry is to the economy. At a time when foreign exchange is a growing concern, we ask the APNU: can the economy afford to lose sugar’s foreign exchange earnings?

While APNU says the industry will be sustaining losses of about $10B in year 2025, the Skeldon Co-Generation facility,

Do you know?

when production at that estate was less than one-third of its potential, realized income of about $9.5B last year. We make this point to illustrate that, with the Skeldon Co-Generation facility, together with similar facilities at Albion, Blairmont, Enmore and Uitvlugt and other plausible ventures, the industry would not in the red, but would see indeed billions of dollars in profits. The fact that APNU continues to sell GuySuCo as only and solely a raw bulk sugar producer is causing wrong conclusions to be drawn. We wish to remind that the CoI even advised how the industry could move forward in a diversification programme. In its structural proposal, it indicates that sugar revenue becomes part of several revenue earning streams accruing to the industry.

While APNU tells us that GuySuCo’s short-term debt stood at $37.7B at the end of 2015, the Corporation’s Chairman, Professor Clive Thomas, told the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee that short-term indebtedness was $11.7B at the end of 2016. If the APNU figure is indeed correct, this is a significant movement, and it is telling us that GuySuCo is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Moreover, we wish to advise the APNU, according to 2015 GuySuCo financial statements, the Corporation pledged to its debtors $1.4B in assets at that time and not $42B as APNU says.

What the APNU does not question, for whatever reason, is the value-for-money it received for the $32B it gave GuySuCo. Despite the large investment, the results are not spelt out in improved production and productivity. Certainly, this should stick out in the dark to the Coalition policymakers. The GAWU, as we outlined in our presentation to the Government on February 17, 2017, strongly holds that sugar has a very bright future if the correct decisions are made. Furthermore, as we see at Wales, the planned diversification initiatives are not even close to being realized, but depravity and misery are steadily growing, and the situation is becoming more and more depressing. We ask APNU if this is what the ‘Good Life’ is meant to be.

Closure of Estates means a reduction of foreign exchange and higher cost of living!

COMBAT

June/July 2017

FITUG bemoans President’s strategy to frustrate opposition GECOM submission

The work of the GECOM has been brought to a halt in the absence of a Chairman. The Guyana Constitution requires the Leader of the Opposition to submit a list of six (6) nominees from which the President would approint a Chairman from. So far, two (2) 6-person lists submitted by the Opposition Leader have been rejected by the President. The extraordinary and unusual delay is worrying to many Guyanese

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) – representing the country’s largest number of organized workers– joins with those other political, social and civic organisations, groups and persons to express our concern over President Granger’s obvious reluctance to choose a person from the two (2) lists so far presented by the Opposition Leader to fill the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

It is befuddling that of the twelve (12) respectable Guyanese proposed to the President, he has not found any “acceptable”. We of FITUG note that the President presented the Opposition Leader and the nation with his own personalized interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution, which indicated just who the President would regard as “acceptable”.

Also, we and the public have not been enlightened on the reason/s for the rejection of the persons on the two (2) lists.

By not giving the nation reasons for his rejection of the two (2) lists of twelve (12) nominees, President Granger leaves us and others to think that the twelve (12) Guyanese are not capable of being professionally impartial or competent to work along with the other six (6) Commissioners who will sit on GECOM. Now, even as the patient Opposition Leader continues the unenviable task and consults the wider society in this arduous quest to submit yet another (third) list, it has already been mooted that should the good President find those other six (6) persons to be “unacceptable” to him,

some group of wise arbiters will be appointed to come up with a solution – if not a Chairman.

FITUG sees the President’s obvious dalliance as unprecedented, and it could be suspected as having ulterior motives. To delay the choice of a Chairman, effectively leaving this vital Elections Commission headless, will certainly impact negatively on the many-sided tasks related to elections, which are the responsibility of GECOM. We have the dubious assurance that the President’s procrastination will not have implications or affect preparations for the 2019 Local Government polls and the 2020 General Elections. FITUG is left to suspect that mischief could be afoot when a contrived last-minute rush by a last-minute Commission is tasked to organize and manage two (2) elections constitutionally due in a rather short time.

FITUG has been consulted by the Opposition Leader with respect to all his submissions. In those consultations, we endorsed the names on the previous two (2) lists, and regard them as upright, matured and qualified Guyanese.

This delay to fill the position of Chairman of GECOM must come to an end.

The suspicions around such a delay do not augur well for our nation’s well-being, nor its reputation regionally and internationally. In terms of free and fair elections, we have come through a difficult past. Let us keep distancing our country from those years, and instead be proud of a new architecture built on democratic norms and principles.

PAGE SEVEN

INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL

Memories of Chile

was using volkswagon mini-buses and anything with wheels to transport people. Buses would pass and there was not even a window you could hang onto. People were out the door holding each others’ waists. As they were doing to Cuba, the US did to Chile. No aid, no trade, no imports, no exports.

Street Mobilizations Then the pots and pans in the upper middle class barrio took to the streets, causing disruptions and general chaos.

President Allende did not respond with repression. In fact, he was convinced that the military in Chile was and would always be a supporter of democracy. He was wrong.

Pinochet was the US front man, preparing for a brutal military takeover. Training of Chilean military in Panama increased, as did US military funding. Training of right-wing trade unionists increased, done by the AFL-CIO’s Supporters of then-elected Chilean President Salvador Allende march in support of his Government. On September 11, 1973, a military coup led

by General Augusto Pinochet brought about the end of Allende’s presidency. The CIA worked in direct cooperation with Pinochet in the planning international arm, the American and execution of the coup. As the Chilean Air Force bombed the Presidential Palace, Allende delivered his final radio address to the people of Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD). I know this beChile. cause I went to AIFLD’s training grateful for Allende, because now they knew everyone

By Ruth Needleman center and wrote down the names Nonetheless, I was there for the banging of pots and who would have to be killed. of Chilean students who attended over the two years pans, the incredible shortages, the right-wing mobilipreceding the coup. They were, for the most part, oppoIn the course of my interviews, I realized that these sition leaders; some worked as agents, turning in names zations, and in particular the entrepreneurial strike of October 1972. Maduro is not Allende, and Venezuela is opposition leaders thought I was CIA and ready to of democratic union leaders so they could be rounded not Chile. Forty-four years and radically changing con- bring more funds to them. But this is not the reason I up and killed. ditions separate them. Yet we are living a period of right- am haunted. It is the similarities in opposition developwing backlash and government takeovers not unlike the ments.

Allende decided to disarm, rather than arm, the masssixties and seventies in Latin America. es, to placate Pinochet. The industrial strips outside of The Shortages the capital were controlled by the workers and their If you were poor, you had access to what was called unions. The workers were asked to disarm to show the I am haunted by memories because of the similarities in the right-wing opposition tactics. I came to know “the popular basket,” cesta popular, that included basic world that Chile was on the road to socialism peacefully. them intimately in large part because, after the October foods, cooking oil, matches and toilet paper. If you were 1972 strike, I researched the right-wing opposition to rich, you had all these things from the black market. I But the most lasting and gut-wrenching lesson I Allende as part of a volunteer job I was doing at Quim- was neither, and therefore found life quite hard. With- learned was that the ruling class was as class conscious antu, the National Publishing House. After I completed out cooking oil, it was hard to cook, but even harder if as the working class, but with all the resources of the US a chronology for a book Quimantu was doing, I began to you had no matches to light the stove. What was partic- behind them. That has been the case more recently in ularly annoying, however, was the lack of toilet paper. Brazil and Argentina. It is currently the case in Venezuinterview the right-wing leaders of the opposition.

I soon concluded that if you want to turn the middle ela. The ruling class took revenge. What can the GovernI started with the truck owner Vilarin, but got intro- classes against a government, just take away their toilet ment of Venezuela do to resist? I do not know. What I duced up the line to the president of SOFOFA, Orlando paper. The owner of El Mercurio, the main conservative do know is that an armed and conscious ruling class is a Saenz, the National Association of Manufacturers and newspaper, owned the paper company. (He was also in- lethal and immensely powerful weapon. the fascist-led Agricultural Society, Benjamin Matte, ternational vice-president of Pepsi Cola.) The UP (Popular Unity Government) discovered tens of thousands among others.

There are many lessons I learned from my Chilean exof rolls of toilet paper thrown into the Mapuche River. It periences, but the class consciousness of the 1% stood At the time I was on sabbatical from UC Santa Cruz was, in fact, part of the strategic boycott. out. I lost many friends and two US co-workers in that ,where I had just established a Latin American Studies coup on September 11, 1973. The book I contributed to, program. I presented myself as a sympathetic gringa US Economic Blockade by the way, Los Gremios Patronales, was published on to the leaders who would lay the foundations for the The US economic blockade, for example, prevented any September 10, 1973. One copy was mailed to me. The military coup. One thing never left my mind. Orlando bus parts from arriving in Chile. The shortage of buses rest were burned after September 11th.

Saenz, the head of SOFOFA, explained to me that he was made travel in Santiago almost impossible. The country COMBAT

June/July 2017

PAGE EIGHT

INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL

FMLN and Via Campesina Back One in every 45 people in Yemen is expected to contract Constituent Assembly in Venezuela

By Lucas Koerner pesina, which likewise expressed its supcholera, Red Cross says port for the Maduro government in the

Children receive treatment for Cholera inside a makeshift hospital in Sanaa, Yemen

By Bethan McKernan An estimated 600,000 people in Yemen, or one in every 45, could contract cholera before the end of the year, as the conflict-riven country struggles to contain the disease, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.

Speaking from the government-controlled city of Aden on Sunday, Peter Mauer warned that the “great tragedy is that this cholera outbreak is a preventable, man-made humanitarian catastrophe”.

“I find this needless suffering absolutely infuriating. The world is sleep-walking into yet more tragedy,” he said.

The rapid spread of the disease is now the worst cholera epidemic in modern history.

Since the first suspected case was recorded in March, the outbreak has infected more than 360,000 people and killed almost 2,000.

The acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water is particularly dangerous for the old, young and those in poor health.

It can kill rapidly if lost fluids are not replaced. About a quarter of the dead so far are children under the age of 15, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said earlier this month.

While cholera is easily treatable – and preventable with proper sanitation procedures - after more than two years of war, Yemen’s health, water and sanitation systems are on the verge of collapse.

Less than half of the country’s medical centres are still functional, 14.5 million people don’t have regular access to clean water, and in several provincCOMBAT

June/July 2017

es, health and sanitation workers have not been paid in months. Around 20 million of the 27-million strong population are reliant on humanitarian aid to survive and it is possible the current situation could also lead to the outbreak of other deadly diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, the ICRC warned.

The circumstances have made it difficult for international aid organisations to operate. Last week, the UN said that up to one million doses of cholera vaccines may have to be diverted elsewhere, thanks to logistical difficulties caused by the Saudi-led siege on the country.

Since March 2015, neighbouring Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have carried out an extensive bombing campaign on Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa, at the request of the internationally recognised government of Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Riyadh has also effectively closed down Yemen’s air and seaports, preventing the import of food and medicine.

“The world is sleep-walking into yet more tragedy … Further deaths can be prevented, but warring parties must ease restrictions and allow the import of medicines, food and essential supplies,” Mr Maurer added.

Western governments have also faced criticism for their role in the conflict: arms sold to Saudi Arabia are destined for use in the Yemeni war, rights groups say.

Two prominent grassroots organizations have voiced support for National Constituent Assembly (ANC) elections in Venezuela amid mounting international pressure for Caracas to withdraw the initiative.

During its national conference, El Salvador’s governing left-wing party, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), rejected external intervention aimed at derailing the Maduro government’s effort to overhaul the country’s constitution.

“We reject and condemn the interference underway in Venezuela,” declared FMLN International Relations Secretary Nidia Diaz.

“We are proposing dialogue as the only solution, and we support the Constituent Assembly as a principle of self-determination, and we stand in solidarity,” she added.

The declaration was echoed by the international peasant organization Via Cam-

face of what it termed an “escalation of external aggression”.

“Let all social and popular movements of the world show their solidarity in the defense of our [Bolivarian] revolution, denouncing what is happening in Venezuela,” the organization said in a statement released during its seventh conference.

Several leftist regional governments, including Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Cuba, have given their backing to Venezuela in the lead up the ANC. Caracas has also received support from the annual MERCOSUR People’s Summit, in which 80 grassroots organizations called for the regional trade bloc to reverse Venezuela’s suspension, effective late last year.

The constituent assembly elections has been met with a litany of threats from Washington as well as several European countries, including Spain and Italy.

The Trump administration threatened “strong and swift economic actions” if the elections went ahead.

Venezuela sees “historic” turnout in National Constituent Assembly elections

Venezuelans lining up to vote at the National Constituent Assembly Elections on July 31, 2017

By Lucis Koerner Venezuela’s national electoral body announced that 8,089,320 people had participated in the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) elections.

National Electoral Council (CNE) President Tibisay Lucena revealed that turnout in elections to choose delegates to the body tasked with rewriting Venezuela’s Constitution was 41.5 percent.

“The balance of the day is extremely positive, because as we always say, peace won out, and when peace wins, Venezuela wins,” she declared on national television.

Speaking from the Plaza Bolivar in Caracas shortly after the CNE announcement, President Nicolas Maduro hailed the large vote total as indicative of the new body’s legitimacy.

“The National Constituent Assembly is born with a great popular legitimacy,” he affirmed.

According to CNE records, the total number of votes for the ANC surpasses the 7,587,579 votes received by Maduro in his narrow 2013 election victory, and comes in as a close second to late President Hugo Chavez’s 2012 re-election triumph with 8,191,132 votes.

The turnout likewise exceeds the participation in the 1999 consultative referendum on whether to convene a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution, which stood at 37.65 percent.

While the vast majority of the ANC’s 545 delegates were elected on July 30, 2017, indigenous assemblies convened on August 01, 2017 to choose their eight representatives.

PAGE NINE

GAWU will continue to defend and safeguard workers’ interests The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) refers to a letter titled “GuySuCo is inviting sugar workers who feel misled to meet with management” which appeared in the June 21, 2017 edition of Stabroek News. The letter, under the hand of the Corporation’s Senior Communications Officer Ms Audreyanna Thomas, is seen by us as yet another public relations stunt employed by the sugar company in an effort to again denigrate our Union for its unrelenting, principled stance in defending the rights of thousands who stand to be affected by the ill-conceived plans for the sugar industry, as being advocated by the GuySuCo. From the Corporation’s letter, it seems that the Union-organised protests at several estates are getting under the not-too-thick skin of the Corporation and its handlers.

Our activity, at Albion on June 20, 2017, attracted an appreciable turnout and demonstrates the disagreement, shared not only by workers and their families, but by the wider communities, with the plans for sugar, which will definitely pose severe and grave challenges to their livelihoods.

trade at the Wales market, and who is now being forced to conduct his business at the Port Mourant market as a result of the depressing state of affairs that have gripped the communities linked to Wales Estate. He expressed his fear and apprehension should further estate closures be implemented. We ask how any right-thinking organization can offer its support to such a plan.

Ms Thomas speaks about the securing of the industry through its non-sugar diversification programme. But this aspect seems to have suffered a still-birth. As far as we are aware, apart from the planting of rice in some areas of Wales, nothing else is being done. Furthermore, our anxieties in this area have been heightened after we read Mr Tony Vieira’s letter which also appeared in the June 21, 2017 Stabroek News. Even the heavily promoted aquaculture venture Ms Thomas spoke so eloquently about had cold water thrown on it by Mr Vieira. While Ms Thomas spoke about workers being given lands to engage in agriculture production, this seems to be a pipe dream. At this time, no worker has been given any land, as far as we are aware, in this often touted intention, which by itself poses critical questions.

providing its medical services which has been in place for almost 65 years. It is saddening that mere days after our nation celebrated the heroism of the Enmore Martyrs, GuySuCo is obviously seeking to alter history. On the Weekly Production Incentive (WPI) scheme, the Corporation should be ashamed to call attention to this.

For the first time probably since the scheme’s introduction over 28 years ago, no worker has benefitted from any WPI incentive during the just concluded 2017 first crop.

On the strikes in the industry, we reiterate that the majority of the strikes are confined to workers in a gang, and are not all industry-wide, as the Corporation seeks to paint. Most of the strikes are related to price disputes that arose from sub-optimal field conditions, and which are deemed legitimate in keeping with the agreement between GAWU and GuySuCo. Interestingly, price dispute strikes pre-dated GAWU’s presence in the industry. Ms Thomas went on to refer to 150 strikes in 2016, but does not say mandays lost by strikes were the third-lowest between 2001 and 2016. We ask GuySuCo: do you not it find it paradoxical that whilst the rate of unemployment is steadily growing, you have a difficulty to attract workers? Two (2) years of no pay increases; shortchanged API in 2015 and no API in 2016; arbitrary cutting down of workers’ benefits; present and potential threats of closures have certainly not been helpful to the company’s cause in its recruitment drive. We note, too, the reference to $17M lost daily as a result of strikes. That figure was also quoted in a whole page ad that appeared under the hand of ‘Concerned Guyanese’ in the June 15, 2017 Kaieteur News. It seems the plot is thickening.

Ms Thomas, in her letter, referred to the State Paper which speaks to the continued operation of Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates.

But she does not speak about the threats to close Uitvlugt which was announced even before the ink on the State Paper had dried. Nor did she speak about the closure of LBI Estate in the latter half of 2016 on the grounds of consolidating Enmore, and then the about-face a few months later when we learnt, on December 31, 2016 and which was confirmed in the State Paper, that that Enmore Estate would also be closed. Such contradictory statements do not repose much confidence in the State Paper and the utterances of We take serious and utmost GuySuCo. The GuySuCo ofumbrage at GuySuCo’s view ficer may recall that not-toolong after the announcement Workers, residents and other marching in protest against plans by GuySuCo and the Government to close the estate that the GAWU is engaged in sabotage. This is completely of the Wales closure, we were at year-end. unfounded and is a figment informed by Guyana’s highest of someone’s imagination.

The necessity of “customs and official that in all likelihood no more estates would be closed. Then, a few months after, we were advised that The Corporation, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, goes on practices” is also questioned by the Corporation. Its refmore estates needed to be closed. Obviously, credibility to speak to provision of transportation and medical ser- erence, in our view, points to continued efforts to withis seriously lacking. vices to the workers and their families and pensioners. draw long established practices which have evolved over Is the company expecting the agriculture workers to join the years, and are reflective of the unique nature of the Our Union, nevertheless, is supportive of all plans public transportation from their homes at 5.00 am and operations in the sugar industry. Moreover, the Corpowhich will secure the sugar industry, but at the same travel to the cultivation some 5 to 10 miles in rugged off- ration also seems to question the wisdom of the workers’ time cannot lend a supporting voice to plans which will road terrain? We urge Ms Thomas to become acquaint- protest actions. But wouldn’t any rational person whose wreck lives and imperil entire communities, as we have ed with the history of the industry. Those facilities she livelihood is threatened take a similar approach? Ms seen playing out at Wales. The Communications Officer mentioned pre-dated GuySuCo, and were not provided Thomas and her colleagues ensconced in the comforts may be interested to know that during the publicizing of charitably, but came into being out of the struggles of of GuySuCo hierarchy would sing a different tune had our Albion march and meeting held on June 20, 2017, workers. Moreover, the Corporation, in its submission the shoe been on the other foot. we met a vendor who resides at Wales and had plied his to the Government in October, 2016 is seeking to cease Continued on page twelve (12) COMBAT

June/July 2017

PAGE TEN

Sugar workers’ lives stand to be rolled back - GAWU Executive Committee member Gordon Thomas tells Enmore Martyrs Day Rally

We meet today on the 69th Anniversary of a workers’ struggle waged at Enmore, in which five (5) workers lost their lives and many more suffered various injuries. This year marks, also, forty-one (41) years since those who fell in that battle of the workers and the colonial planters gained national acclaim and they were declared as martyrs. Today, once again, we of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) are pleased to take part in these activities to remember the sacrifice and pay homage to the Enmore Martyrs – Harry, Lallabajee, Pooran, Rambarran and Surujballi. These annual observances are a reminder of the difficult road we as a people have travelled, and the challenges and difficulties preceding generations met with and had to overcome to achieve betterment in the sugar industry. The occasion also brings to mind the difficult working and living conditions of those times, as well as the harsh means employed by the plantocracy to deny workers and their families a decent life.

History records that between 1872 and 1948, fifty-two (52) sugar workers were killed as they raised their voices against the harsh conditions and other injustices meted out to them.

They, like the heroic Enmore Five, were seeking a better day for themselves and their families. Their sacrifices are of no less importance, and today we also recall their courage which has helped to bring a better day for us all.

sugar industry, and which has already resulted in many thousands connected to the operations being affected. Today, as we meet, we see hanging over the heads of so many a life filled with desperation and uncertainty. At this time, we are mindful of the expressed plans to minimize the sugar industry through the closure of Enmore and Rose Hall Estates and the sale of Skeldon Estate. Taken together with Wales, some 9,000 workers will be affected by these plans. What is worse is that there is no proper plan to address the difficulties that would face the people who are, and stand to be, affected.

At Wales, where I was employed, and which was closed about six (6) months ago, I must say that the situation is sad and depressing. For me it is painful to know that an area that was once so lively is now filled with so much concerns

ling passengers, and their earnings from those activities are limited. The usual Friday market is a shell of what is was, and the village shops are all complaining about poor sales. And those who were lucky enough to get jobs are receiving less than a living wage, and others get work for just a few days a week. It is sad to say that some families have broken up, and for some, their children’s education is under threat. At the same time, there are more incidents of crime, and people are growing scared.

And all the talk we hear about diversification at Wales is just talk, nothing more. Except for the recent planting of rice in a few fields, some aspects which were done by non-Wales workers, nothing else is happening, and the thought of going to Uitvlugt has its own difficulties as well. The situation at Wales is bleak,

which have arisen at and being experienced at Wales. We have been told that more closures and sale is necessary, since the support required by sugar is unaffordable. But at the same time, let us ask ourselves: can we afford the crime, the poverty, the divorces, the destitution, the impact on education, the drug use, the domestic violence, the alcohol abuse, the suicides and the other sad problems that would expectedly emerge? Can we afford the costs of larger jails and other necessary infrastructure which will surely be necessary as conditions generally deteriorate? As a small, developing nation, these are problems which we think cannot be afforded, and problems which our decisions should not make worse.

We in the GAWU hold that the harsh plans promoted are unwise and unnecessary. We strongly believe that sugar can overcome its challenges through diversification in areas of white sugar, alcohol, packaged sugar and electricity production. This is a direction we see being pursued in sister CARICOM states.

Certainly, if their approach is right, then we can go along this way with greater confidence.

The industry has faced challenging periods in the past, but has overcome them through the dedicated efforts of its workers, a committed approach by a knowledgeable management, and a supportive Government.

Comrades, as we recall the heroism of the Enmore Martyrs, the best tribute we can pay to them, and all those on whose Comrade Chairman, the Enshoulders we stand, and in the more Martyrs observances also interest of the current and fubring to attention the often igture generations of Guyanese, is nored contributions of sugar to actively express our strongest workers and the sugar indusdisagreement with the wrong try to the nation and its people. plans for sugar. As the living The Enmore Martyrs monument which commemorates the heroic sacrfice of five (5) sugar workers who were Those contributions have been example of Wales shows, it will shot to death by the Colonial Police on the orders of the Sugar Barons. The workers were protesting the atrocious many and significant, and may living conditions and the harsh conditions of work. The Martyrs were deemed National Heroes in 1976 and their be a painful experience and one have very likely touched every memory and contribution is recalled annually. which generations to come will area of national life. Therefore, surely regret. The GAWU urges it is very vexing and painful that we all should play a part in that this group of honest, decent, and and suffering. For a large number of the and the future is not encouraging, and at calling for a change of course in regard to hard-working Guyanese is now-a-days workers, they have not been able to get this time, many from the neighbouring the sugar industry. being treated in such a disrespectful jobs. For those who received severance communities are wondering if this is the Now, more than ever, I encourage all manner, and all that they have done and pay, many are using those monies to ‘Good Life’ they were promised.

Guyanese to light a candle for sugar are doing is being forgotten and dimin- maintain themselves and their families. workers, whose lives stand to be rolled ished. It seems, quite frankly, that they But those sums cannot last forever, and Given the difficult times which the peo- back to those times even before the Enand their families have been deemed a at some time, they will find themselves ple of Wales are now facing, it is disturb- more Martyrs. different class of people, like in the days between a rock and a hard place. ing that we see plans which would take Long live the Enmore Martyrs! of the Martyrs. those hard times to other villages and to Stop the destruction of the sugar indusSome workers have also used their more working Guyanese. For the GAWU, try!

Comrades, we see a very cold and heart- monies to buy second-hand minibuses it is worrying that such plans are promot- Solidarity with the sugar workers, and less approach being taken regarding the and taxis, but there are very few travel- ed, especially knowing of the problems long live the workers of Guyana!

COMBAT

June/July 2017

PAGE ELEVEN

Kaieteur News ad - a new low reached in seeking to disparage GAWU firmly ensconced in the GuySuCo hierarchy; 6. The ad argues absurdly that GAWU is seeking to protect its union dues income, thus its stance on sugar. If that were indeed the case, why is it that the Union is calling on GuySuCo to pay the 350-odd workers of Wales their rightful severance entitlements?

Many, if not all of those workers, will not return to the Corporation for employment and, therefore they cannot pay dues. ‘Concerned Guyanese’ is not seemingly connecting the dots, but maybe is shooting from hip; 7. The author tells us that $17M are lost whenever there is a day’s A GAWU-organised protest at Skeldon on June 06, 2017 attracted a massive turnout. The Governstrike. By ‘Concerned Guyanese’ ment and GuySuCo are seeking to divest Skeldon Estate, saying that it would never work. Similar sentiments were shared by ‘Concerned Guyanese’ in his/her ad which appeared in the June 15, 2017 logic if the industry operates for 35 crop weeks per annum, its revenue Kaieteur News. GAWU has consistently pointed out the falaciousness of those statements. would be $4.165B. For the author’s The Guyana Agricultural and Generdifficulties is most disingenuous. The information, GuySuCo’s revenue al Workers Union’s (GAWU’s) attention fact is that the Corporation revenue in 2015, the last year available, was was drawn to an advertisement titled “Do went down by some US$40M per an$21.4B. Again, ‘Concerned Guyanese’ Guyanese know these facts about the num as a result of the EU price cut. clearly does not seem to know much, sugar industry?” which appeared in the Moreover, the author of the ad may or is misinformed; June 15, 2017 Kaieteur News. The wholewant to ask the current GuySuCo 8. The ad goes on to speak about workpage advertisement, something which we management officials why is it that, ers strikes, but ‘Concerned Guyanese’ understand is very costly, has sought to after receiving G$32B since 2015 obviously fails to see the clear concastigate our Union and is seemingly in from the State, production this year tradiction in the statement. He/she response to our forthright stance in dewill be less than 200,000 tonnes sugsays on one hand, that workers earn fending the workers of the sugar indusar, well below GuySuCo’s capacity; try in the face of the cold, heartless plans 3. We are told the Skeldon “will never promoted by the Administration. While work properly”, but this defies logGAWU holds no brief for the PPP/C, ic, as we have heard, through press which was also mentioned in the ad, our reports, of the ready unsolicited inUnion believes it is important to bring terest in Skeldon. It will be insane Continued from page ten (10) clarity to some of the spurious and illfor anyone or any organization to thought-out sentiments expressed by purchase something that will never In passing, Ms Thomas needs to be re‘Concerned Guyanese’. work. We must mention again that minded that workers and the tax-paying the Skeldon Co-Generation facilipublic are still awaiting an account of 1. The Skeldon factory was not a standty brought to the coffers of Skeldon the big sums of money given to GuySualone project, it formed part of the Energy Inc (SEI) over $9B through Co in 2015, last year and this year with wider Skeldon Sugar Modernisation the sale of electricity to the National no showing of any noticeable or tangible Project (SSMP) which envisaged Grid. Again, ‘Concerned Guyanese’ results. It’s quite befuddling that when the construction of the factory, the seems not to have rationally considthe company’s intent is to lower even establishment of a steam-and-fuered his/her statement; the current low production to 147,000 el-generating electricity plant, as 4. To speak to Cambior’s investment tonnes per year, it speaks of its efforts to well doubling the estate’s cultivation. vis-à-vis Skeldon investment is like increase production and productivity in It is therefore inaccurate to say that comparing oranges and apples. There sugar. GuySuCo seems to be in a haze of US$200M were spent to build the is simply no basis for comparison; confusion. factory only. Furthermore, it is pub- 5. ‘Concerned Guyanese’ wonders lic knowledge that GuySuCo was also about where the Skeldon monies GuySuCo says it will demand very soon expected to invest some of its own rewent. The author, whomever he/she a “higher level” of service from GAWU, sources towards fructifying SSMP. It maybe, should insist that the sums but such a call is best suited to GuySuCo. seems maybe ‘Concerned Guyanese’ received by Booker-Tate, which was For instance, we have seen press reports has awoken from his/her slumber, or charged with managing the project, on the intended expenditure of $1.5B is simply being wicked and misleadshould come under the microscope. of what is styled the Uitvlugt Estate Iming; It ought to be noted that the Bookprovement Programme (UEIP) and the 2. To identify Skeldon investment as er-Tate director at the time of Skelintention to produce 40,000 tonnes sugthe reason for the GuySuCo financial don’s construction is now-a-days ar by 2020, for which neither the Union

nothing when they strike, but on the otherhand says that union dues will be deducted. If a worker doesn’t earn, then it follows he/she cannot have any deductions made.

We see the ad as a new low being reached, and the latest in the series of futile attempts to disparage our Union for standing up and defending the thousands of sugar workers, and also the thousands linked to the industry’s operations. We noticed many of the sentiments contained in the ad are also parroted by Administration officials during recent appearances on the television in Berbice. The similarities are indeed interesting, and it seems there is more than what meets the eye.

The GAWU also sees the ad as a poor response in the PR attempts of those who are effectively countered by the militancy of the workers and the consistent exposure of the misinformation that emanates from the officials and their apologists. It is disheartening that the ad appears on the eve of the Enmore Martyrs Death Anniversary. It speaks, obviously, to the level of respect those who are responsible for the ad have for the hard-working, honest sugar workers; and, indeed, the working people who depend on the industry, in one way or another.

GAWU will continue to defend and safeguard workers interests

COMBAT

June/July 2017

nor the workers of Uitvlugt have been engaged and remain clueless about at this point in time.

We wish to caution Ms Thomas that our Union is working, and will continue to work, in the interest of our members.

We are not a vendor or service provider to GuySuCo that the Corporation can seek us to provide them (GuySuCo) with better quality service. It seems the Corporation wishes to go back to the days of Company Unionism. We wish to advise the GuySuCo that that ship has long sailed.

GAWU wishes to assure Ms Thomas that it will continue to appropriately respond in defending and safeguarding the interests of our members, and to inform the public about the grave dangers that lurk from the plans for sugar at all possible forums.

PAGE TWELVE

GAWU perplexed by GuySuCo’s FITUG in solidarity with Venezuelan statements on Uitvlugt Estate working-people and their leaders

The Uitvlugt Estate factory, the estate employs some 2,200 workers at this time

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has taken note of statements emanating from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) concerning the future of Uitvlugt Estate.

In justifying its position, GuySuCo contends that its plans for the development of the estate are being stymied because the cane cutters and cane transport operators from Wales Estate, made redundant from the closure of the estate, are insisting on their legitimate right to receive their due severance pay; which is a fact well-known by GuySuCo, as the Management of Wales Estate has held many sessions with the concerned workers to encourage them to take up work at Uitvlugt Estate. The workers, on the other hand, have steadfastly maintained that they are entitled to their severance pay, in keeping with the law. It must be recalled that GuySuCo officials at one time advised the 350-odd workers of Wales that they would receive their severance, if they so desired. The Corporation’s officials even went as far as making photocopies of the workers National Identification Cards to ensure that their correct names would be written on their severance payment cheques.

At this time, as at all times, the GAWU is, and has been supportive of the Corporation’s plans to increase and maximize production at Uitvlugt, towards making the estate sustainable and viable. We have not deviated from that position. We recognize that GuySuCo, in moving in this direction, has and is encouraging cane farmers to lease its previously cultivated and now retired estate lands to cultivate canes. They included those fields which were previously cultivated for organic sugar production, as well as those fields which were abandoned when the estate’s cultivation was downsized under the management of Booker-Tate, some years ago. The farmers who have taken up lands at Uitvlugt have prepared their field for mechanized operation; as a conCOMBAT

June/July 2017

sequence, the demand for labour will be very minimal, at best.

Regarding the Uitvlugt Estate lands, the estate’s cane cutters are able to reap all the estate’s canes every crop. Interestingly ,too, not only did the Uitvlugt cane cutters completely harvest the estate’s first crop this year, but they also went to Enmore Estate to assist harvesting that estate’s canes. In the past, they also assisted at Wales, when that estate was operable.

Uitvlugt is probably the only estate which has been consistently managed to achieve such feats. At Uitvlugt, cane have never been left unharvested at the end of any crop.

Despite the Corporation’s failed efforts to convince the Wales workers to take up work at Uitvlugt, the Union has nevertheless been repeatedly scapegoated by GuySuCo for the Corporation’s unsuccessful and seemingly unconvincing attempts to have the Wales workers working at Uitvlugt. Should the 350-odd Wales workers take up work at Uitvlugt, in spite of the daunting challenges involved in commuting between the two (2) estates, among other things, the cane cutting workforce of Uitvlugt would become overstaffed.

On that score, workers simply wouldn’t have enough productive work to do, and the negative effects on their earnings and the huge cost to the Corporation to transport the Wales workers daily must also be considered.

Our Union wonders what excuse/s GuySuCo would have adopted regarding Uitvlugt Estate had Wales remained operable, in keeping with the recommendation of the Sugar Commission of Inquiry. Our Union must be cognizant of its legal requirement in defending and representing its members to obtain their severance pay – a legal right. Moreover, we will not be caught by the reason being advanced for the veiled threats surrounding Uitvlugt.

As far as we can see, there is no proper rationale for the closure of Uitvlugt or any other estate.

Opposition-led protestors marching in Caracas, Venezuela. Their protests in recent times have seen several persons killed, hundreds injured, and significant destruction to property

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), a major segment of the organized Guyanese working-class, has been following, over the last months, the situation in Venezuela, an important neighbouring country, with growing uneasiness and deep concern.

The street violence coming from the extreme right, a section of the political opposition, is clearly aimed at destablisation of the Maduro Government – a constitutionally and democratically-based Government. We consider that the unleashed violence and its instigators find encouragement from the several intrusive statements made by the foreign ruling circles.

In the tension-filled situation, FITUG expresses appreciation of the several significant efforts made by the present Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to reach a compromise with the Opposition Parties and return the country to normalcy, and in continuing its pro-people development.

So far, unfortunately, the Opposition’s intransigence has led to little or inconsistent progress in this direction. The Opposition’s stances have revealed their insincerity to bring a halt to the existing situation. Their real intention, obviously, is to ensure a change of Government by violence rather than the democratic route.

FITUG has especially noted the expressions of solidarity coming from the Caribbean; extra-regional countries; and many independent, conscientious, pro-

gressive and democratic forces to the Maduro Government. The rule of imperialism, hand-in-glove with local reactionaries, has brought back memories of the past, filled with horrifying violence and militaristic ventures, most notably Chile of the 1970s.

We, of FITUG, have taken cognizance of the new Constitutional initiative taken by President Maduro to address the ongoing situation. This effort relates to the decision to convene a Constituent Assembly which would continue to rely on democratic means to consolidate the country’s social achievement and chart a just destiny for the Venezuelan masses.

We welcome this initiative, and wish it all success.

As a neighbour, we are aware that developments over there can and will almost surely impact our own country one way or another. With this in mind, FITUG, a workers’ organization, is of the view that the National Constituent Assembly can lead to a halt of the violence, see an end to this assault on democracy and self-determination, and ensure stability in our region.

We join with other democratic and peace-loving forces to express solidarity with Venezuela’s working-people and their leaders in this time of trials, and also in the democratic institutions in their admirable struggles to defend democracy and the gains made over the recent years.

Do you know?

Govt sugar plans will see 50,000 people pushed into poverty!

PAGE THIRTEEN

GAWU will stand by and struggle with the workers...

Continued from page four (4)

Mr Seetaram also asks where would the money come from to finance sugar’s future? He needs to be reminded that between the EU monies and 20-year (19761996) Sugar Levy, the State received as much as $100B. That is apart from several other contributions by the sugar industry by way of workers’ income tax, corporation tax, drainage and irrigation services, medical services, lands for housing, among other things. This could very well total tens, if not hundreds, of billions of dollars, which in effect have been saved

by the State over the years.

The ramblings of Mr Seetaram are nothing more than to deflect from the serious consequences that would befall the people and the communities of the sugar belt. There is no amount of lipstick that the author can put on the proverbial pig that would make the Government’s plans seem more attractive. At the end of the day, too many Guyanese will suffer and the future of thousands will be blackened and shattered. As a responsible organization, GAWU will stand by, and struggle with, the workers as they face these assaults and challenges.

Police permission reversal a worrying sign - FITUG

A vigil organized by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) outside of the State House, Main Street, Georgetown for July 19, 2017 had to be abandoned after the Guyana Police Force withdrew its approval. The decision by the Police Force is very upsetting, and seems to indicate that there is a concerted attempt to silence the voices of dissent and disagreement.

The FITUG-organised vigil had sought to express solidarity with the nation’s beleaguered sugar workers. It was also intended to call to attention that thousands of ordinary hardworking Guyanese are threatened with impoverishment and misery as a result of the Administration’s plans to close and sellout a number of sugar estates. The Federation had hoped that the vigil in front of the President’s residence would highlight the difficulties that would confront the communities of Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon as we see now-a-days playing out at Wales.

The Federation, by letter dated July 13, 2017 to the Commissioner of Police, sought permission to conduct the activity. We next heard from the Police Force by letter of July 17, 2017, which advised “…that approval is given for you [FITUG] to hold a “VIGIL” on Wednesday 19th, July 2017”. The FITUG was then unpleasantly surprised when we received another letter from the Police Force dated July 18, 2017, saying inter alia that “…due to the present situation in the country approval cannot be given as this time for the VIGIL.” The sudden and short reversal in positions by the Police Force is for us both perplexing and of great concern. It would not be unusual to hold that the Police when examining our request, must have taken into account the prevalent situCOMBAT

June/July 2017

ation in the country. The Police’s explanation, in our view, seems to have provoked more questions than answers. The revocation cannot be disconnected from a somewhat similar incident which confronted the GAWU a few months back when the Police, for inexplicable reasons, denied that Union permission to conduct a march on the East Coast of Demerara. Certainly, this latest action serves to heighten our anxieties, and reminds of a time in our nation when democratic expression was curtailed.

The FITUG cannot help but wonder, this time around, whether the “present situation in the country” will be used as a guise to undermine and deny Guyanese their inalienable rights, and to deprive our people of their constitutional freedoms of expression and assembly. Is it that the July 09 Camp Street Prison incident is beig used as the pretext to heighten surveillance and to promote invasion of privacy on the ground of so-called searches.

The 180 degree turn in this matter is of grave concern, and is very worrying to us in the FITUG. While we uphold and promote respect for the laws of the lands, we must place on record our strongest condemnation of this revocation, which in effect is not in keeping with established Trade Union rights, and serves to deny citizens their rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

The FITUG believes that this development does not augur well for our democratic future, or for the touted ‘Good Life’ which is so elusive to the workers.

We call on all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn this denial.

GuySuCo statement on sugar prices deceptive

GuySuCo, in a recent statement to the media, advised that world sugar prices had reached as low as US12 cents per pound, but the Corporation was being deceptive, and seemingly had intended to confuse the public. Guyana’s sugar is sold to contractual markets in Europe, the USA, the Caribbean, and Guyana for prices above the world market price. In fact, information reaching GAWU advised that the Corporation received between US$495 and US$550 per tonne for sugar sold to its lowest price market. That sum is far in excess of the US$260 per tonne GuySuCo referred to in its press release. Clearly, GuySuCo was seemingly seeking to pull the wool over the eyes of the Guyanese people.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has taken note of a press statement from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) regarding the world market price of sugar.

Our Union believes that the ‘sad story’ statement will be used as another sordid justification to launch further assaults on the sugar workers in an effort to whittle away their gains won by several generations of workers, and which resulted from their struggles.

The GuySuCo statement, maybe conveniently, fails to tell the sugar workers and the Guyanese people that the world market is a residual market, and is far from being reflective of true cost of production globally. The world market price remains what it is because every sugar producing nation offers its respective producers some form of State-support, which tends to lend to some over production. Such Government assistance is premised on, among other things, the employment directly and indirectly supported by those industries. It seems only Guyana has failed to recognize this noteworthy fact.

Furthermore, GuySuCo’s sales to the various markets are contractual, and are negotiated between the Corporation and the respective buyers. We understand that, earlier this year, GuySuCo received between US$495 and US$550 per tonne of sugar it sold to the Tate and Lyle through the European Union (EU) arrangement. Prices in the US, Caricom and local markets are even higher than what obtains in the EU. While GAWU accepts that the EU reforms will pose

some difficulty, the Corporation is also well aware of other remunerable markets that it could exploit. Moreover, the recent registration of the Demerara Sugar and Demerara Molasses as Geographical Indicators, and work to secure the protection of the brand in Europe offer the Corporation good opportunities for higher prices.

The volatility of the sugar markets also calls to attention the need for the Corporation to diversify its operations into other areas, such as electricity, alcohol, packaged sugar and refined sugar, as recommended by the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and shared by our Union and others. We found it interesting that while GuySuCo is shedding crocodile tears, we see on news-website Demerara Waves an article about the interest of several “reputable” companies who are considering investing in the sugar industry. It is indeed a strange coincidence that both stories appeared not too long after each other. Maybe it is just coincidental, or maybe it is a case of there being more than what meets the eye.

The contrasting sentiments between the GuySuCo statement and the Demerara Waves’ report gives credence to the notion that the wool is being pulled over our eyes. All is not lost in sugar, as demonstrated by the investor interest; it is far from it. We ask: if private owners can do it, why can’t GuySuCo? Every day it is becoming clearer that politics, and not economics, is guiding the approach to sugar and the destiny of thousands who depends on its operations.

PAGE FOURTEEN

Sugar industry ‘stewardship’ very questionable

•

Canes loaded in a punt or barge to be transported to the factory for milling. Guyana is probably the only sugar-producing nation in the world that transports canes by waterway. This method of cane transportation is very inexpensive and is one of the comparative advantages the Guyanese sugar industry possesses relative to other sugar-producing nations

Continued from page one (1) Regarding this year’s production, based on information seen by GAWU, we wish to make the following points:•

•

At the end of the first crop, 1,873 hectares of canes that should have been harvested at Albion, Rose Hall, Enmore/LBI and Uitvlugt Estates were not harvested, for several reasons. Those canes, had they been harvested, would have seen GuySuCo producing an additional 7,137 tonnes of sugar. In other words, had all the first crop canes been converted into sugar, then GuySuCo would have produced 53,736 tonnes sugar, or just over 72 per cent of its crop target. Clearly, the Corporation hadn’t the canes in the first place to realize its target.

The unharvested first crop canes have not disappeared, and though over their maturation stage, they can still be harvested and yield some amount of sugar. This is not by any means a new phenomenon.

Even if half of the realizable sugar is obtained, then sugar production in the second crop ought to be 3,569 tonnes higher than what is estimated. But, dis-

•

•

concertingly, the second crop target has increased marginally by 558 tonnes sugar (124,844 – 124,286).

The company is seemingly confused, or unable to determine its sugar production estimates.

When Skeldon is taken into account, the situation becomes even more troubling. At the beginning of the year, that estate was estimated to produce 36,701 tonnes sugar – 8,871 tonnes in the first crop, and 27,830 tonnes in the second crop. GuySuCo, earlier in the year, communicated to the Union, that the first crop canes would be harvested in the second crop. Thus, even if half of the first crop estimated sugar is obtained when those canes are finally harvested (8,871 ÷ 2 = 4,435), then Skeldon’s production ought to be 32,265 tonnes sugar (27,830 + 4,435). In other words, production at Skeldon’s second crop output is 2,168 tonnes lower than what it really should be (32,265 – 30,097).

Those two situations, taken together, tell us that sugar production in the second crop should really be 132,290 tonnes (124,286 + 3,569 + 4,435). The difference, 7,446 tonnes (132,290 – 124,844), would

have yielded the Corporation about $821M in revenues. The stark difference and its impact on finance tell us that something is clearly amiss. It seems, from what the data is telling us, that large areas of harvestable canes will be abandoned and not harvested during the second crop. This, for us, is of grave concern, taking into account that the Corporation would have made investments in terms of planting, fertilizing, spraying, weeding, water management, among other husbandry expenses. This, in our view, points to gross mismanagement and incompetence.

The Company, which has said that it has the ‘best minds’, certainly is very much answerable for the poor state of affairs.

The GAWU has noted that the perennial excuses of ‘weather’ and ‘industrial action’ have been deployed as the expressed rationales for the production levels recorded and estimated. In the case of strikes, a Corporation report seen by GAWU pointed out that the number of strikes has fallen by as much as 44 per cent in the 2017 first crop when compared with the 2016 first crop. Certainly, the strike argument doesn’t have a strong leg, if indeed it has a leg to stand on. In terms of the weather, while we accept that it was a bit unusual during the crop, we saw GuySuCo report which advised that rainfall was just 15 per cent higher than normal. Certainly it was within tolerable levels, but it seems that this excuse is being shamelessly magnified to cover the Corporation’s tracks of perpetual failure. Clearly, the usual ‘whipping boys’ for the GuySuCo failures cannot be scapegoated when GuySuCo’s own data is taken into account.

So, then, the obvious question is: what are the real, true and correct reasons for the Corporation’s declining state of health. The GAWU, by itself, does not believe it possesses all the answers to that burning and important question, but at the same time recognizes that clearly something is deeply wrong at the top of GuySuCo. We have seen production moving from 231,000 tonnes in 2015 to 183,000 tonnes in 2016, and now 174,000 tonnes in 2017 – assuming the target is met. In the two (2) years under the stewardship of the Corporation’s IMC, production has fallen by a whopping 25 per cent. This, in our estimation, warrants serious examination. It seems the ‘stewardship’ of the sugar industry is very questionable.

GAWU/NHSL conclude negotiations for 2017 Workers of Noble House Seafoods Limited (NHSL) are to receive a five (5) per cent pay rise retroactive to April 01, 2017. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the NHSL in four (4) engagements approved the pay increases as well as an increase in the leave allowance by $2,000 payable on the fixed sum for the respective categories:- 1-4 years service from $14,000 to $16,000; 5-7

COMBAT

June/July 2017

years service from $16,000 to $18,000; and 8 years and over service from $18,000 to $20,000 along with improved changes in the bursary award. While four (4) eligible children of workers would continue to receive $17,000 each year for five (5) years, children of workers who acquired in excess of 415 marks at the National Grade Six Examination (NGSA) are now entitled to $15,000 per pupil as a one-off payment.

GAWU and NHSL also agreed to meet with the Medical Scheme provider to consider improvements in benefits. It was finally agreed that the Union and the Company would engage insurance companies with a view to have established a suitable contributory pension scheme.

PAGE FIFTEEN

Do you know:

THE REAL, COLD, HARD FACTS

IUF Caribbean Sugar Workers Alliance launched

on the plans for sugar in Guyana

On May 08, 2017, Minister Noel Holder presented to the Parliament and the Nation the Government’s State Paper on Sugar. The document advised that the Government/GuySuCo would retain three (3) estates – Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion.

The Minister also confirmed that the Government intended to close Rose Hall and Enmore/LBI Estates, and sell out Skeldon Estate.

But what does it all mean?

• It means that some 9,000 workers will be threatened with joblessness; • It means that about 45,000 – 50,000 ordinary, poor Guyanese will be affected, and possibly face a life filled with misery, hardship and depravity; • It means rising impoverishment in Guyana, reversing gains recorded in the last quarter century; • It means increased incidents of crime, divorce, destitution, family break-up, etc; • It means higher rates and taxes, as GuySuCo will no longer take care of drainage services in many low-lying coastal communities; • It means less foreign exchange and a higher cost-of-living; • It means more money would have to be spent on policing, courts and social services, and • It means an uncertain future for many of tomorrow’s youths

Let us resist moves to take our country down this dark and ominous path!

Let us fight and raise our voices against such schemes, and say to those in charge that we do not agree with their plans!

Let us protect our gains, and not stand idly by as they are undone in a cold and heartless manner!

Let us say: NO SELLOUT, NO CLOSURE!

Closed Season for fishing industry commences

The seven (7) week Closed Season for Guyana’s fishing industry commenced on August 01, 2017. Guyana approved the closed season for many years, now allowing maximum spawning every year of fish, amphibian and other water animals.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), as the bar-

gaining agent at BEV Processors Inc and Noble House Seafoods Limited (NHSL), has been in engagement with both companies, to address alleviation measures for the workers, since they could not be employed in their substantive work. The Union and BEV agreed that the workers would receive pro-bono four weeks’ pay at their basic rate, a week’s annual leave pay, and a week’s general work. For another week, they would be given a week’s pay as leave passage. Workers at NHSL would receive three (3) weeks’ pay as Annual Leave and an additional four (4) weeks’ pay in lieu of work.

The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF), at a meeting held in Antigua and Barbuda on May 30 -31, 2017, launched the Caribbean Sugar Workers Alliance (CSWA). Participants were drawn from the Caribbean unions affiliated to the IUF. From Guyana, the meeting was attended by General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Cde Seepaul Narine and the General Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), Cde Dawchan Nagasar. The CSWA will focus particularly on sugar issues affecting unions whose sugar memberships are facing serious challenges owing to estate closures, particularly in Guyana and the organizational drives by the Belize Workers’ Union (BWU).

GAWU is leading the sugar workers’ struggles to get the Government of Guyana to rescind its decision to close two (2) sugar estates and to privatise another by year end. GAWU is most concerned about the significant loss of jobs and the negative impact the closure will have on rural Guyana. In the case of the BWU, the

union is confronted by efforts of the employer to thwart their drive in recruiting the hourly-paid maintenance employees at the Belize Co-Generation Energy Limited (Belcogen), a facility located next to the sugar mill that is owned by Belcogen’s sister company, the Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. (BSIL). The American Sugar Refiners (ASR) Group, the world’s largest cane refiner, holds a majority stake in BSIL. The Antigua meeting also discussed the current situation and outlook for the English-speaking Caribbean sugar producers, exploring market changes that are expected on October 01, 2017, when the European Union ends the domestic sugar production quotas. The move will liberalise the EU sweetener market and may encourage an increase in EU sugar production, accompanied by a corresponding increase in EU exports.

Participants recommend the alliance to work on a fluid and reliable exchange of information on working conditions and employment practices, to develop training activities, and to establish a strong regional coordination.

“Capitalist barbarism, crisis and Imperialist wars,

or socialism”

COMBAT IS A PUBLICATION OF THE GUYANA AGRICULTURAL & GENERAL WORKERS UNION (GAWU) 59 HIGH STREET & WIGHTS LANE, KINGSTON, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA, S.A. TEL: 592-227-2091/2; 225-5321 , 223-6523 FAX: 592-227-2093 EMAIL: INFO@GAWUGY.COM WEBSITE: WWW.GAWUGY.COM