Unions pledge to help build robust sugar industry
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said, Wednesday, that the difficulties and challenges of the past year have presented the sugar sector with an opportunity to mould a new, viable and robust industry.
Acknowledging that such a process will take more than just talking about it, he disclosed that Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), as well as National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) have pledged their commitment to moving forward.
“Both unions have said they are willing and able to engage GuySuCo management, the Government and other stakeholders in refining and defining and ensuring that the new, relevant and robust industry is built,” Mr. Persaud said, at a meeting of stakeholders, in Albion Community Centre, Corentyne, Berbice.
He said such an industry will address the needs and welfare of sugar workers and be positioned to make a meaningful contribution to national development.
Pointing out that, currently, no levies are collected from GuySuCo, he said, in July 2003, the Government, successfully, passed legislation in the National Assembly to phase out the sugar levy, taking less and less each year until none was paid.
However, GuySuCo makes its contribution to national development through the taxes that are paid, based on its profits, the employment opportunities generated and the social service programme advanced, Persaud explained.
He said, at the end of the day, the development of the Guyanese people is paramount on the current Administration’s agenda, through the developing of sectors that support national development.
Persaud said 2011 can be a significant landmark year for the sugar industry.
But he cautioned that it should also serve as a “wake-up year for all of us, management and workers, too.”
Persaud said, looking at the enterprise with a new perspective, all stakeholders should work to making the year a success.
He reiterated that the current Administration is committed to the industry, which is facing many challenges, primary among them the 36 per cent price cut by the European Union (EU), in keeping with rulings by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), costing GuySuCo $9 billion annually.
Apart form that, Persaud said the corporation has:
* racked up a debt of some $7 billion to suppliers;
* seen an increase in costs, for example from 1993 to now labour cost for one tonne increased from $24,000 to $71,364;

* experienced problems getting the canes out of the field;

* has had to deal with wastage, strikes and low turnout recorded at around 48 percent.

“Notwithstanding the challenges and the differences, we must use 2011 to dedicate and commit ourselves,” Persaud urged. (Vanessa Narine)