THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on February 19 rescinded the dismissals of the 15 East Demerara sugar estate workers who allegedly had failed to apply fertilisers to canes in July 2014. This was according to President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand yesterday during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
“As from February 22, GuySuCo has rescinded their dismissal, and having been dismissed for the period from the 4-21, that decision will now be treated as suspension,” said Chand.
He further added that following intense investigations and discussions with management of the estate, they found that the time had elapsed since July last year, therefore, it was improper for the corporation to take disciplinary action after such a long time.
According to GAWU’s President, the decision to rescind the dismissals was finalised on Thursday, February 19: “Prior to that on Wednesday, February 18, the chief executive officer of the estate had a meeting at the Ogle Club with the dismissed workers, where he informed them of the decision which the corporation has confirmed with the union.”
SEVERANCE PAY ACT
During the discussions with the involved parties, GAWU referred to the termination of the severance pay act, which requires the employer to take action in a short time failing which, the employer would have waived their right to take disciplinary action.
When GAWU visited the field, they disclosed that they did not find any significant evidence that the canes had not been provided with adequate fertiliser.
“We also said when it was allegedly held, that the men did not throw the fertilisers when they should on the cane, yet they were paid and they were subsequently given similar jobs when they could have been given other tasks,” said Chand.
He emphasised that when management discovered what they claimed were concentrations of fertiliser thrown at different places without applying it to the canes, “we pointed out that the men should have been taken to the scene to verify, therefore, they waived the right to dismiss the workers and that has the backing of the law.”
In closing, the GAWU President highlighted that the workers’ benefits and years of service remain intact, as they will remain on their jobs.