THE Guyana and Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has rejected a statement allegedly made by the Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran claiming that unions in the sugar industry have been in collaboration with government to transfer GUYSUCO’S health services to the state. A statement from GAWU said: “The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) vehemently rejects a reported statement by Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran to the effect that “the unions representing the sugar workers” have been in collaboration with the Government regarding the transfer of GUYSUCO’S health services to the state.”
“The Stabroek News of Thursday April 08, 2010 quoted the Minister in an article captioned “STATE BEGINS ABSORPTION OF GUYSUCO’S HEALTH SERVICES”. GAWU categorically denies that it has had any discussions with any Minister on this vexed issue, “quietly” or in any manner whatsoever. Dr Ramsaran’s statement is factually inaccurate, misleading and ultimately, mischievous. GAWU is also assured that the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) has also never considered any discussions with any government official on the issue. GAWU wonders whether pressure of work, the already challenging state of government health services or an outright intention to undermine the two unions’ credibility is responsible for this false figment of the minister’s imagination.”
According to GAWU its position on the transfer of GUYSUCO’S traditional health service is unchanged – GAWU is still strenuously and vigorously opposed to the government plans and this position was articulated through a resolution which was unanimously passed at its congress in August 2009 in Berbice.
The resolution demanded that the corporation continues to manage its medical facilities and mandated the union to oppose any attempt to divest those facilities.