MINISTER of Agriculture Robert Persaud joined representatives of the various Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates at the LBI estate on Friday to witness the signing of the agreement between the Corporation and the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) for a 5% salary increase for the sugar workers. The accord also provides for the improvement of working conditions at the estates.
Noting that the deal was unique, in that it was reached without any acrimony whatsoever, which is just what the industry needs to move forward, Minister Persaud said he hoped that the arrangement would lead to a cultured partnership, whereby workers and management can sit and work to ensure that at the end of the day, the sugar industry remains viable.
Government expects that some of the issues plaguing the industry will be overcome, Minister Persaud said, adding that no one can question the level of Government’s commitment to the industry, as can be attested by the many investments and interventions in the industry.
He also urged the workers and GuySuCo’s administration to remain upbeat about the industry and workers to continue and increase their level of commitment.
“It is our industry; the people of Guyana’s industry, and it requires dedication, steadfastness and a higher level of commitment,” he said.
All the systems in place are meant to make the industry successful, he said, and all that is required is for every single player to get his/her act together and make the industry viable.
Embedded in the terms of the agreement is the across the board 5% increase effective January 1, 2011. The 5% one off payment granted by President Bharrat Jagdeo on December 2, 2010 has also been made permanent as per terms of the agreement.
GuySuCo and GAWU have also agreed to recommence a job evaluation process.
The negotiation also yielded other agreements such as amendments to the Weekly Production Incentive.
The parties also reached an unwritten agreement, to start in a couple of weeks, negotiation for the annual productive incentive for 2011 and to work to achieve a consolidated labour agreement that will comprehensively take in all the circulars and agreement made in the previous years
The results of the negotiation evolved after 11 meetings.
The 5% increase will be effective September 1, 2011 and the retroactive payment for January to August this year will be paid in October.
Human Resource Director, GuySuCo, Jai Petam said that it is historic, that now after 20 years, GuySuCo and GAWU can reach an agreement without the intervention of conciliatory process or having to move the process to arbitration.
The representatives that constitute the members of the delegation showed great discipline in the sessions, he said.
There was no haggling, and the company made an offer of 5%, and the union unanimously agreed to accept the corporation’s initial offer, Petam said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim thanked the union and its representatives for the diplomacy with which they conducted themselves and managed the negotiations.
President of GAWU Komal Chand said that the union would have wished a higher increase but after assessing the state of the industry it accepted the offer put forward.
He said that the union would like to see GuySuCo progress forward. Better working conditions and salary will help the industry retain the skilled workers it needs, he said. (GINA)