A LARGE number of persons from Skeldon including sugar workers, vendors, the business community and workers from other estates on Tuesday protested Government’s programme to reform the uncompetitive sugar industry.
The protest comes weeks after the unveiling of Government’s White Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry at the commencement of the 64th sitting of the National Assembly. The document held that government proposed to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate and that funds generated from the divestment go towards reducing GuySuCo’s debt and support and supporting its capital programmes for both sugar and the diversification initiatives.
Protesters rallying against this proposition gathered at 07:00hrs, at the entrance of the Skeldon Estate compound. The ensuing march then culminated at Republic Square where they listened to various speakers including Regional Chairman, David Armogan, Member of Parliament, Vishwa Mahadeo, GAWU President, Komal Chand, Corriverton Mayor, Hemchand Jaichand and others.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramdeo Sooklall, a cane-harvester for over 37 years, said the future for him and his family is gloomy. Sooklall called on Government to rethink the divestment and consider what will happen to the town and the workers. “ We nah a get regular wuk ,just two day ,three day and the wuk that them a give you can’t perform you can’t earn a daily bread,” he said.
The father of two said this is the toughest period he has ever faced and questioned how the administration will provide alternatives for every worker. “Me gotta find passage and lunch money for them children and then look after home. That money what you get for the three days can’t do anything …you nah get chance to earn. How we gon maintain we family? Me try look other wuk for the time, me try plant one lil garden but nothing nah even sell; money nah deh,” he said.
Champawattie Saran, a fish vendor of the Skeldon Market said, the business has decreased in the Town “We as market vendors are punishing, when we use to sell seven bucket fish a day now we barely selling half bucket. Money nah circulating,” she said.
Addressing the gathering, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand thanked the supporters for coming out in their numbers and urged them to continue to stand in unity against the closure. “We are in a sad state and only the people together can stand up and win this battle, together with the other workers, together with the farmers and vendors those numbers count …this government has no shame. This government come to you and said sugar will not fail. They promise the 20 percent increase and to date no API was paid. They betrayed their promise made,” he said.
Regional Chairman David Armogan, stressed the need for the Management of GuySuco to work on making the sugar industry profitable again. He noted the consequences of divesting the estate is so dire, that it will take some 20 years to get back to normal. As such, the stakeholders are appealing to the administration to examine the economics of situation carefully.
Residents reiterated that the divestment will severely impact the business community and will lead to major economic challenges. They also echoed the call for government to reconsider and think about the sugar workers and their families and ultimately the state of the country at large.
