‘Let good sense prevail’
– Chambers are “extremely disappointed” with constant resort to strike action by Unions representing sugar workers and, by extension, in the sugar workers themselves
THE Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce yesterday issued a joint statement noting that all three Chambers have been closely following developments within the Sugar Industry over the past few weeks as this sector is most vital towards ensuring sustained economic development in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The Chambers said they have noted the many challenges faced by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) including the European Union price cuts, the ripping effects of the volatility on the world market as a result of the international financial meltdown, the erratic weather pattern as a result of climate change which has also affected other sectors in the region and the unstable industrial relations climate.

“The Government’s commitment shown towards revitalizing the entire industry, particularly in this region where three of the largest estates are located, the efforts to increase sugar cane output to adequately meet production targets, the intense effort to service its markets and creditors, its drive towards expanding value added production through Project Gold at Enmore are most commendable,” the Chambers said in their joint-statement.

However, it said the fact that the New Skeldon Sugar Factory has been plagued with “way too many problems since its commissioning simply cannot be overstated”.

“Solutions have to be found immediately. It has to be fixed. Like the financial giant A.I.G. in the United States, the New Skeldon Factory simply cannot fail. The current efforts underway to comprehensively address the technical problems at the Skeldon Factory are heartening,” the Chambers posited.

They noted that the “constant disruption and forced shut down of the entire operations of the Corporation” is not the solution to any of the problems affecting the industry or the sugar workers.

It is in light of this that the Chambers said they are “extremely disappointed” with the constant resort to strike action by the unions representing sugar workers and, by extension, in the sugar workers themselves.

“While we recognize and would defend the right to strike, the workers decision to withhold their labour at this juncture is grossly irresponsible at a time when the industry is depending on the production of every kilogramme of sugar to earn desperately needed revenue to sustain its day to day operations and continue supporting the projects it has invested in to take the industry towards profitability,” the Chambers  said.

Noting that Sugar is still ‘KING’ in Region Six, the Chambers said thousands of workers earn a living from the Sugar Industry to sustain their families.

Several thousands more equally depend on the continued production of sugar at the estates of Skeldon, Albion and Rose Hall, where over the years several markets and other businesses have been established and are heavily reliant on the commerce of sugar workers and their families. Sugar is the bedrock of the local economy.

With this in mind, the Chambers stated that they are “extremely worried” by the revelation of GuySuCo that it is considering the possibility of temporarily closing all its operations, except in cases of essential services as, during the current strike by GAWU workers, it will be incurring heavy overhead expenses in some areas including the payment of other staff, without any relevant revenue being generated.

“The unions and the workers need to ask themselves what is to be gained from crippling the industry? How would their actions positively impact their economic situation and the future and stability of the industry? While the workers have a right to protest for better wages how is this possible given the current state that the industry is in and the adverse economic consequences of industrial action?” the Chambers questioned.

The Chambers added that “frustration by citizens of Region Six against the confrontational approach and insensitivity towards the reality of the Sugar Industry are mounting”, and as a result, the Chambers are urging the striking workers and their unions to cease such terminal action and return to the negotiating table with the Corporation.

The Chambers are also warning that, “should our worst fears be realized and the operations of the industry grind to a halt”, then the local economy will never be able to absorb the many thousands that will be unemployed coupled with the direct negative effect this will have on the overall economic activity in the region.

The Chambers are therefore appealing for good sense to prevail in light of these trying circumstances.