THE opposition forces are gifted at misrepresenting issues to influence public opinion and most often their representations are way off course.
The AFC misrepresented what happened at the Enmore Martyrs rally which really was a rather moving, inspiring and realistic analysis of the sugar industry. The need for greater responsibility on the part of the union to make the industry viable was also highlighted.
I agree that while so much money is being pumped into the industry to sustain and take it to successful levels, the union must take its responsibilities seriously and prudently and effectively manage its affairs to ensure that production continues and in fact increases.
Any union would be responsible for protecting and fighting for the rights of the workers it represents, but it must also ensure that those workers do their jobs. Calling strike action at its whims and fancies does not mean that the union is doing its job.
I don’t believe that government was trying to cause a rift between any of the trade unions because it has always had a history of working with every union to ensure that workers benefit from better working conditions and pay. Maybe some unions have had better successes in this regard, because they effectively represent their workers and others should strive to do the same.
Since it is now heading up to the elections period, we will continue to see the opposition parties trying to put their own spin on things to create confusion, but Guyanese know better.