THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) three-day 20th Delegates’ Congress held under the theme: “Promoting Workers Interests to Advance Economic and Social Development” concluded on Tuesday at Bath Primary School, West Coast Berbice with its tasks accomplished.
A release from the union said that the participation of almost 500 delegates and observers of the Union’s membership from its 14 bargaining units assured success in the overall proceedings. The Opening Session was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre and the Business Session was convened at the Bath Primary School.
According to GAWU President Donald Ramotar who was well received and in delivering the feature address spoke to the tangible support his government has been providing to the sugar industry at this critical period. In his address, he reminded us of the importance of the industry and its huge contribution to the economy. He spoke to the efforts of the Government to retain the industry as state-owned. He also referred to those sugar industries in the Caribbean which chose the path of closure less than five (5) years ago when the European Union (EU) reduced the price it was paying ACP sugar-producing countries for its sugar.
GAWU’s President, Komal Chand in his address noted that in the last three years leading up to the union’s 20th Congress, GAWU was confronted with a fair share of challenges but was able to adequately and appropriately defend its membership and was able to score many victories and achievements. He advised union members to remain united behind the Union noting that they are elements who are seeking to undermine their unity and the workers would be losers.
He noted that nationally Guyana continues to experience and witness growth and development in many areas across the country and took note of the successive years of positive economic growth. Chand also noted the challenges and roadblocks which are confronting development projects now-a-days and the need to overcome same.
On the sugar industry, GAWU’s President, also reminded delegates, observers and special invitees of the industry’s importance to the nation. He lamented the industry’s poor sugar production performance over the last few years and the financial predicament which Guysuco now finds itself in. The co-operative effort of all, he insisted, could contribute to the industry’s return to sustainability in light of the favourable world sugar price. The Union’s President reiterated the view that with sugar production reaching a level of 300,000 tonnes and then continuing to climb, the industry can once again become sustainable.
The opening session was also addressed by Bert Patterson, General Secretary of the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (GTAWU); Clifton Grant, First Vice President of the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) of Jamaica; Marcela Maspero, Presidential Council member of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU); Cde Carvil Duncan, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and Cde Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). Additionally, Congress was informed of the messages of greetings and solidarity from fraternal organisations which were received by GAWU.
Also, 22 members of the union who provided dedicated and unstinted support and played a role in advancing and developing GAWU over the years were also appropriately honoured at the opening session. A certificate reading “Award in Appreciation and Recognition of Loyal and Dedicated Service to the Union” and a gold broach was given to each awardee.
Delegates and observers of Congress were presented with a General Council Report by the Union’s General Secretary, Seepaul Narine. The report reflected and drew attention to over 50 issues which the union considered relevant for Congress discussions. Following the General Secretary’s presentation, members from the floor took part in an open discussion and, where required, members received responses from the Union’s leadership.
Congress also unanimously approved nine resolutions on tax reform, local government elections, EU Accompanying Measures, Annual Production Incentive (API) and Weekly Production Incentive (WPI), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Education and Training, the Sugar Industry, Ex-Gratia Pension and Unity of the Working Class. The resolutions will now be sent to different agencies and bodies for their attention.
Delegates also elected a 53-member General Council which is charged with managing the affairs of the Union until its next Congress – 21st Delegates’ Congress. Members of the General Council at their first meeting of the Council will elect the officials of the Union in keeping with the Union’s Constitution.
The Congress concluded with a charge given by the union’s President Komal Chand. He took cognisance of the massive resistance and fight back taking place in many countries against the capitalist system. He spoke to the need for support and co-operation to rebuild the important sugar industry and in so doing it would be possible to resist strongly any act to privatize it. He called for workers to continue to defend their gains and stressed the importance of their unity in these times. In this respect, he emphasized that the members must be wary of those who are misguiding them and seeking division of our ranks. He also stressed on the need for union members to make full use of the union’s educational programme and for them to be more committed to the Union as it pursues and grapples with the various challenges faced by members.
GAWU said from all accounts, the 20th Congress of GAWU was a genuine workers forum and which concluded successful.