Seepaul Narine repeats Komal Chand warning to Berbice workers
– workers must be aware and alert for wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing
GENERAL Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Seepaul Narine told a May Day rally in Berbice that, while the union is pleased with the substantial interest Government has shown in the sugar industry, it is, however, peeved by another intervention which sought to divide the workers’ ranks and undermine trade unionism. He drew the attention of his audience, at Port Mourant Community Centre, Corentyne, to attempts, by leaders and activists of the Alliance For Change (AFC), to seize on the genuine grievances of some sections of the workforce to promote their political agenda.
“We have fended them off, so far, but our members must be aware and alert for wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. The AFC has revealed an anti-working class and anti-trade union tendency and mischief is afoot,” Narine said, repeating the caution issued by his President, Mr. Komal Chand to the Georgetown National Park rally, also on Tuesday.
Referring to the 2012 National Budget, Narine pointed out that, although debate on it has concluded in Parliament, it is continuing on the outside, in the streets, communities and villages, which has brought tears to the eyes and will snuff out the hopes and dreams of many.
He declared that, in one fell swoop, over $20 billion was guillotined by the combined Parliamentary Opposition, from the proposed expenditure and a range of issues, encompassing workers’ jobs, development programmes, the continued modernisation thrust and projects to benefit the Amerindian communities, the fight against illicit drugs, governance, investment possibilities and much more have been obliterated or now seriously threatened.
Narine questioned why would a few politicians, without understandable rhyme or reason, seek to obstruct the country’s development, especially given its current low current and at a time when it is making strides, even if small, towards progress.
He said: “Hundreds of our fellow workers stand to lose their jobs, I am told. Secure in their jobs days ago, today these workers are destined to join the breadline and face an uncertain future. And, the important thing to note is not that money is not available to pay them wages and salaries, it is simply that some politicians, themselves, not workers, find a special gratification in ensuring that hundreds are thrown into the unemployment ranks and they and their families are exposed to the prospect of hand-to-mouth existence.”
Narine said May Day 2012 has come with a mixture of good and bad news and, while the air is filled with loose talk, the working people’s struggles, in defence of their interest, must go on, as they remain united.

STAND UNITED
“The recent developments in our nation is telling. They tell us that new challenges are appearing in our path. We must be ready to face up to them. At this time, we see the need for our working class to stand united. Wild bulls are unleashed and, as we increase our vigilance, let us be aware of the confidence tricksters, yes fraudsters who are only interested in your political value to fulfil their political agenda and ambitions,” he advised.
Earlier, Narine mentioned that, due to militant action by workers, with respect to their wages, benefits and working conditions, an agreement between GuySuCo and GAWU has resulted in an increase of $1.3 billion per annum for members, which is expected to assist in retaining skilled time-rated employees on whom the sugar industry depends.
In addition, the 2012 National Budget provided a transfer of $4 billion from Central Government to GuySuCo, in order to ensure that the sugar industry is financially able to meet its operating and investment requirements.
“This $4 billion support from Government is critical to the industry. It is hoped that crucial capital works, so badly required in certain areas, would be soon undertaken and a value for money audit be conducted afterwards, to satisfy any concerns about the expenditure of the much needed sum,” Narine said.
He emphasised that the fixing of the major defects at the Skeldon Factory, before the commencement of the second crop in late July, will result in the turnaround of the sugar industry.
“Indeed, it can be so if a quality of sugar, of not less than 300,000 tons, can be produced by the end of 2013, in keeping with the industry’s present resources and, with the current price of the product on the overseas market, an end to the industry’s yearly large deficits is on the horizon,” Narine posited.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, in a highly emotional discourse at the same forum, reminded the workers of many implications of the Budget cuts, orchestrated by the combined Parliamentary Opposition.

POOR PEOPLE
“The One Laptop Per Family programme is essentially for the poor and the single parents. That programme has been cut. About 63,000 are to come in and be distributed. Who are getting these laptops? It Is the poor people. The rich will continue to buy their laptops but it is the poor who can’t afford would not get it. That is what the joint opposition has done,” he informed.
Mahadeo said, in the interior, the Amerindians were getting solar panels, as they cannot get electricity from Guyana Power & Light.
He also noted that National Communications Network (NCN) has been given one dollar ($1) and would not be able to broadcast sports, such as cricket and football.
“People are losing their jobs. One member stood up in Parliament and said (Anthony) Vieira previously aired all the games. But I am saying we had to get a black box. It was not for free… there is a lot more which will be affected,” the MP predicted.
Also speaking at the Red Letter Day for workers was Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. David Armogan.
Messages were delivered, as well, by branch representatives of unions while cultural presentations were offered from the GuySuCo Training School, Guava Bush Mandir and a staff member of Skeldon Estate.
Prior to the speeches and performances, the large contingent, dressed in red and white, converged at the Albion Estate entrance road, from where the hundreds, carrying banners depicting solidarity, marched the one mile distance to the rallying point, the venue at which they socialised later.