Displaced sugar workers need to start looking after their interests

Dear Editor
WHILE retrenched sugar workers have for the most part been aware of the very real possibility that they might be laid off, for those who spent much of their lives on the estates, such a scenario very likely seemed unthinkable. Unfortunately, political interference and mismanagement going back to the terms of PPP administration have borne their unpleasant results.

Now is hardly the time to be political, but sugar workers should recognise that what is unfolding as an economic disaster for their communities and an upheaval of their personal lives was brought about by the PPP administration itself, as it resisted efforts to either transform or close the sugar industry in a manner that allowed sugar workers to receive maximum benefit in terms of severance, simply to maintain their political support from sugar workers.

Even now, the PPP continues to prostitute itself as representing the interests of sugar workers. What has made the situation immensely more difficult was the clearly uncoordinated efforts to deliver timely severance by the coalition administration. This being said, it is suggested now that time should be spent by these workers looking after their best interests. In respect of the part-severance they expect to receive by the end of January, sugar workers should recognise that this money, based on government’s intention of paying the second part in the second half of the year (no date specified), is expected to last for a fairly long time. They are therefore urged to ensure that they monitor their expenditures wisely.

It is worth reiterating that the business community is encouraged to extend some consideration to displaced sugar workers. Jobs could be offered that involve training in an effort to integrate them into the workforce on a more permanent basis. Potential employers are also encouraged to recognise that they may need to extend some flexibility to sugar workers initially for the first couple of months to allow them to adjust to their new work environment. Some sugar workers may come on the job with a fair amount of stress, and this has to be considered in ensuring they are ultimately successful at their new jobs.

For sugar workers, the key to getting a job is carrying an upright character and proper attitude. Relations with your new employers should be based on honesty. Both during job interviews and on the job, being honest allows your employer to understand you a bit more so that they can better gauge your skills and better manage their relationship with you. Hiring and training employees is a time consuming and costly affair, so try to ensure that every effort is made to build a strong and understanding relationship with your employer/supervisor.

In regard to attitude, it is important that a calm and reasonable disposition is always maintained. While circumstances may arise which would normally result in anger, the importance of maintaining control and being reasonable on the job cannot be overstated. This is because becoming angry may result in the other person/employer/supervisor becoming angry also, which can be unproductive and not in the interest of yourself or the company.

Always be willing to do more and lend a helping hand when possible. This allows for more social engagement and gives you an opportunity to learn more about your job and the people around you. Especially, do not take your problems to work. Ensure as best as possible that you always focus on giving your best every day and maintain a positive, friendly attitude. Ensure that you understand fully the culture and general attitude within the workplace, and observe whatever rules and regulations are available. Some organizations may have written guidelines for their employees, but there may also be some unwritten ones that also deserve attention.

Going forward, always ensure that your time is well spent. This may include keeping away from political meetings and protests over circumstances in the sugar industry. The PPP will always try to use sugar workers to grandstand and make a public show to attract attention. They have consistently demonstrated their incapacity at seriously addressing sugar workers’ concerns.

One of the things that sugar workers are encouraged to reflect on is that the leader of their union, Mr. Komal Chand, was a standing member of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee since at least 2008. In this position, how could he ever honestly represent the interest of sugar workers through the years? Sugar workers could also explore avenues for recouping their union dues from GAWU, and consider also approaching the court to have the operations of GAWU stopped on the basis of fraud because its union leader had a conflict of interest, being a member of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee, and so could not exercise his duties to sugar workers in a fair and impartial manner. Although this claim may be less relevant now, sugar workers should understand the nature of the beast they are dealing with.

All sugar workers have every reason to be proud in spite of what is unfolding in the sugar industry. Although they have been taken advantage of by successive governments, as evidenced by their depressed welfare, sugar workers can hold their heads high and with dignity, knowing that their labour has generated much foreign currency through the decades which have helped support Guyanese’ way of life. Finally, although PPP supporters are probably having a good laugh at coalition supporters, all Guyanese, particularly those of African descent, can take this opportunity to confirm that the PPP is a liar, by embracing our fallen sugar workers and giving them a place in society, where they rightfully belong.

Regards
Craig Sylvester

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