PRESIDENT of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, is hoping to meet with the government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) at the earliest possible date to get a true picture of the state of the industry and the way forward.Chand told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that GAWU is keeping a close eye on developments and would expect that the government will seek to have necessary discussions about its thinking for the future of the industry.
Just over two weeks ago, GuySuCo announced that it could not finance wage and salary increases and that some $18 billion in subsidies would be needed for the next year.
President David Granger recently announced also that their needs to be change in the sugar industry as the company continues to draw heavily from the country’s treasury. Minister of State Joseph Harmon also announced that some decision would be made about GuySuCO by year-end.
GAWU says it is awaiting a definitive position on the sugar industry before it makes an “official statement”. Chand said that the last meeting held with GuySuCo on October 19 dealt with wage increases, “and that was turned down, so there was essentially no need to meet anymore.” The union president noted however that there are a lot of possibilities being outlined for the industry’s operations, but none is clear. “At times, you are hearing of closure, at times it’s scaling down or diversification into rice, beef or privatisation and so on.”
Chand then claimed contradictions in the information being released about the industry. He pointed out that GuySuCo’s indebtedness figure continues to change, moving from $58 billion to more than $80 billion from last year to now. He noted too that indebtedness figures being presented include pension sums that do not reflect correct sums for those who actually become pensioners. “Workers are not clear about their future. They want to know what is the true and settled thing they [government] are going to do, and clarity on contradictory remarks.”
Minister Harmon told reporters that a presentation by GuySuCo officials to members of Cabinet was made. It included GuySuCo Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas, and Chief Executive Officer Errol Hanoman, among others. The presentation afforded government members an opportunity to understand the many challenges facing the industry as part of recommendations coming out of the commission of inquiry into the sugar industry.
Without going into detail, Minister Harmon said there are many options open for the sugar industry but these must be deliberated on. He said that the approach that is being taken with regard to the industry involves discussion with stakeholders and was therefore being “careful” as to the information going out to the public.
President David Granger recently announced that the country could not continue to feed billions of dollars into GuySuCo. The president is adamant that GuySuco is depriving other sectors and should funds pumped into the industry be used elsewhere, transformation would be seen.
The president said the government cannot keep bailing out GuySuCo and change is needed.