…urges government to support workers during these ‘trying times’

IN light of growing concerns over the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has called on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to suspend its operations and for government to support sugar workers during these “trying times.”

GAWU, in a letter to the GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager, Deodat Sukhu, called on the state-owned sugar company to suspend temporarily its operations for an appropriate period in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In our correspondence which was copied to several senior GuySuCo officials, among others, we pointed out that over the last few days, workers have expressed their fear about contracting the coronavirus. The workers fearfulness, we added, have been heightened in recent days as the number of persons infected has risen and reports have indicated that this number will climb even higher in the coming days,” said GAWU.

GAWU acknowledged the corporation for its implementation of several measures as a means to allay workers fears, but those measures, while welcomed, have not helped to sufficiently subdue workers concerns at this time, especially given the unfolding national situation.

In further expressing their views, GAWU said: “We reminded the GuySuCo that is it bound both by agreement and statue, among other things, to ensure that workers are protected from hazards whether they are physical or biological.”

The union pointed out that workers have expressed anxieties about going to work, not because they are unwilling, but they are seeking to protect themselves and their families’ health and well-being at this time. It was against this background that the union urged the corporation to consider a temporary cessation of operations.

The Union, in its correspondence, also called on GuySuCo to provide appropriate financial support to the “beleaguered” and “hard-pressed” sugar workers.

“We advised the GuySuCo that it ought to approach its political bosses to access sufficient financial support to ensure that it can assist its workers in this crisis period. We reminded the state-owned enterprise that the Government is ensuring that all its workers do not suffer any loss in pay and, therefore, the sugar workers are just as deserving.

“The GAWU reminded that the sugar workers and their families are Guyanese citizens foremost, and they, like all citizens, deserve the support of the State at this difficult time. The GAWU is hopeful that the Corporation would consider sincerely and soberly our requests,” said GAWU.

GAWU further stated: “The GuySuCo has oft repeated that its workers are its most important assets and, therefore, it should pursue every mean to ensure that they and their families are safeguarded and protected at this time. We pointed out to the sugar company that several other enterprises in our country have taken similar stances as we suggested and it appears to be a most prudent course at this time.”

Considering the national situation, GAWU urged all Guyanese to heed the warnings, follow the advice and take all and every precaution to stay safe.