SUGAR has always been at the centre of our political struggles. Whereas, in the 1940s, sugar was used as a rallying call to unite the nation in the fight for self-determination, inclusive of internal self-government, sugar is today being used to divide the nation.Workers’ struggles have not only been to advance their cause, but also to resist domination and marginalization wherever and whenever they occur.

In 1947, there was the bauxite workers’ struggle to improve their lives, inclusive of freedom from domination and marginalisation.

The 1948 Demerara sugar workers’ struggle, which saw the loss of lives, was rooted in similar principles. The nation needs not forget that the State, under colonial authority, turned its guns on sugar workers in an effort to silence and deny them what was justly theirs.

In 1999, an independent Government that had Bharrat Jagdeo as Minister of Finance saw police shooting peaceful, unarmed protesting public servants who were demanding the Government — their employer — meet with their unions and negotiate in good faith on wages/salaries and improved working conditions. Jagdeo was the one who resisted every effort at engagement between the unions and Government.

In 2012, a decision that would have impacted negatively on the citizens of Linden/Region Ten was made without any consultation with the people and their local representatives. The disregard for the right to involvement resulted in weeks of peaceful protest. The State, under the stewardship of Donald Ramotar, responded to the pleas for justice by turning its guns on citizens, resulting in loss of lives and injuries to people.

The Jagdeo government, in 2007, handed BERMINE and Aroaima bauxite companies to the Russians, and proceeded to dismiss all the workers at LINMINE. Thousands of workers were affected and placed on the breadline. Those decisions were made without regard for the socio-economic consequences the workers would suffer, or their right to be heard/involved in the change that would impact their lives. The blow to bauxite workers and their communities was far-reaching and multifaceted, and is still being felt to this today.

Jagdeo’s arbitrary decision also saw the breaking up of the workers’ Pension Plan, worth in excess of $2.5B, which was the single largest pool of money owned by a majority of Africans. His government refused to entertain any idea from the unions, workers and communities to save the plan through investment.

At successive regional elections, Region Ten has overwhelmingly rejected Jagdeo and Ramotar’s compulsive behaviour of domination and marginalisation.

The PPP/C uses the race card as a scare tactic in the sugar industry to ensure the allegiance of East Indians workers/citizens. But this party, during the Jagdeo government, closed down LBI and Diamond estates with no regard for workers’ rights, and refused to engage stakeholders. The union had to approach the court for redress for the workers, and some workers have still not received their redundancy benefits.

Under Ramotar and Jagdeo governments, the GuySuCo Board was used as a cash cow to reward friends and cohorts, with the welfare of the industry and its workers placed on the backburner.
Where the PPP/C government failed to respect laws and rights of workers/citizens, the Opposition condemned such acts, and called for the upholding of rights and the rule of law.

Today, the said Opposition is in the Executive. It is important to note that, having campaigned on change, the Government shoulders responsibility to do better than the PPP/C; and, where possible, correct their mistakes.

More than six years of atrocities are being committed against workers employed at the Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI). The APNU and AFC, when in the Opposition, condemned these acts. Today an APNU+AFC Government gives support to a foreign management trampling our laws and denying workers their rights and freedoms protected in the laws.

Let me reiterate a position made known before: Minister Simona Broomes, who is a minister within a ministry, has discharged her duties, given the tasks assigned her and consistent with the laws. Resolution to the BCGI/Workers impasse is vested in the instrument of Cabinet Minister Volda Lawrence, and she refuses to act.

The sugar industry, where the PPP has strong reach and control and displays contempt for these workers, continues to be a political battleground. This was so during PNC governments; it continued under PPP governments, and continues to exist today. This Government was elected on the platform of change, but workers and the sugar industry are being treated in similar fashion as during Jagdeo and Ramotar governments, as ministers harbour the notion that different results can be achieved.

Talking about uniting Guyanese for the 50th anniversary cannot be realised by bullying people, stripping them of their rights and dignity, and violating the Constitution and laws. To continue along the PPP’s course is setting the stage to ensure a nation divided, come 26th May. Those who fail to learn from history are writing their obituaries.