HISTORICALLY, sugar workers have made tremendous sacrifices and are still doing so for the benefit of the sugar industry and the national economy as a whole and the entire population has benefitted and is still enjoying the fruits of their blood, sweat and tears.
Sugar workers have also been involved in almost all the battles and struggles to liberate Guyana from colonialism; the struggle for Adult Suffrage; the struggle for the passage of the Labour Relations Bill and Act; the restoration of free and fair elections and the return to democracy; the struggles for food; and the protests and struggles against almost every injustice and act of oppression against the Guyanese people.
At one time, the major sugar workers union – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) – was virtually the only union championing the cause of the workers and no doubt its unrelenting militancy inspired other unions, some of whom were sympathetic to the ruling party at that time, to join the struggle for the cause of labour. This eventually led to the formation of the seven-union strong umbrella trade union body, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).
One of the leaders of that body, Mr. George Daniels, had to flee this country for his safety, while another, the late Mr. Gordon Todd, was given a frightening threat which those who are old enough would recall.
When the sugar industry enjoyed preferential prices and the weather was not a factor like today and the industry was performing well, many scoffed at the earnings of sugar workers but never took the time to analyse why that was so or else they would have realised that sugar workers had to struggle and toil in scorching sun and drenching rain while many of them were still in bed or, at the other extreme, at their clubs socialising and relaxing.
In other words, whatever sugar workers achieved came out of sacrifice and toil and was not given on a platter.
It is most unfortunate that the sugar industry has been hard hit by several factors, including the scrapping of preferential prices in the European Union, coupled with drastic cuts in sugar prices and, more recently, technical problems with the Skeldon factory which was intended to be a major plank in the turnaround plan for the industry.
Other factors inhibiting production this year include inclement weather, the industrial relations climate and poor turnout by workers.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation has been deploring the low turnout by sugar workers and is moving more to mechanisation to cope with the mounting shortage of labour, especially cane harvesters.
Because production targets would almost certainly not be met, sugar workers will not get any increase on their wages or any real production incentive and this is a most regrettable situation.
While there is no real yardstick to measure the performance of public servants, they will be enjoying a five per cent increase and this is good because they are deserving of a hike.
It is unfortunate that sugar workers whose performance is measured by production targets will not enjoy such a benefit and it is in this context that the sugar corporation should consider a special package just for this season.
After all, it is the season of giving and sharing.