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PERTURBED by too many strikes President Donald Ramotar appealed to the trade union movement in Guyana for advocacy in educating workers who are often dissatisfied that their demands are not being met. 
Speaking at the Fourth Delegates Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG) at the Regency Hotel, under the theme: ‘Worker’s Right to Secure Food and a Clean Environment’, the Head of State blamed failure of union leaders to explain the reality to workers, for the drastic actions workers often take.
Recently, sugar workers represented by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) took strike action over a one percent across the board offer by Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) which the union complained was made arbitrarily.
However, at the conclusion of negotiations between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the company a five percent wage increase for piece-rated sugar workers and a one percent wage increase for time-rated staffers were offered.
The sugar company in a statement appealed for an end to the strike action and today President Ramotar, while defending the right of trade unions to strike, said is must only come as a last resort.
“The union would be protecting workers’ interest by avoiding premature and intemperate acts,” President Ramotar said.
Rifts between the sugar workers and the unions representing workers are common but have been among the factors contributing to poor performance in the sugar industry.
Dialogue between the government and the trade union movement is an option President Ramotar is encouraging, especially in relation to the immediate concerns, medium and long – term aspirations of the working people. He said the government has, and will never turn a blind eye to their interests.
While wages and salaries have been at the centre of workers’ issues over the years, the government has been trying to convince them that wellbeing is also measured in social sector initiatives beneficial to the population.
President Ramotar said the achievements made in education, especially at the secondary level where there is now 85 percent attendance and the distribution and regularisation of about 100,000 houselots have made life better for the working class over the years that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has been in office.
President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan and President of GAWU, Komal Chand also addressed the delegation (GINA)
Speaking at the Fourth Delegates Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG) at the Regency Hotel, under the theme: ‘Worker’s Right to Secure Food and a Clean Environment’, the Head of State blamed failure of union leaders to explain the reality to workers, for the drastic actions workers often take.Recently, sugar workers represented by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) took strike action over a one percent across the board offer by Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) which the union complained was made arbitrarily.
However, at the conclusion of negotiations between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the company a five percent wage increase for piece-rated sugar workers and a one percent wage increase for time-rated staffers were offered.
The sugar company in a statement appealed for an end to the strike action and today President Ramotar, while defending the right of trade unions to strike, said is must only come as a last resort.
“The union would be protecting workers’ interest by avoiding premature and intemperate acts,” President Ramotar said.
Rifts between the sugar workers and the unions representing workers are common but have been among the factors contributing to poor performance in the sugar industry.
Dialogue between the government and the trade union movement is an option President Ramotar is encouraging, especially in relation to the immediate concerns, medium and long – term aspirations of the working people. He said the government has, and will never turn a blind eye to their interests.While wages and salaries have been at the centre of workers’ issues over the years, the government has been trying to convince them that wellbeing is also measured in social sector initiatives beneficial to the population.
President Ramotar said the achievements made in education, especially at the secondary level where there is now 85 percent attendance and the distribution and regularisation of about 100,000 houselots have made life better for the working class over the years that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has been in office.
President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan and President of GAWU, Komal Chand also addressed the delegation (GINA)
