SPEAKING at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) 20th Delegates’ Congress on Saturday, the union’s president, Mr. Komal Chand, said that improved relations among workers, the union and Guysuco’s management, at all levels, is the key factor to making the sugar industry once again viable. Mr. Chand noted that “the union’s unity is the only guarantee of a promising future.” He said that there are many things that are still to be done, and there are a number of issues that workers need to raise, discuss and pronounce upon.
“Prevailing sugar prices and[the] possibility of even higher prices influenced by droughts and floods worldwide has shown us that the industry can once again become prosperous. Sugar production therefore must ascend without much delay to 300,000 tonnes, then to higher levels. All is possible within the industry’s present capacity” Mr. Chand said.
He noted that the union is not only concerned with “bread and butter” issues, but with the general development of the country.
According to him, since the convening of the last congress, several new projects were initiated, such as continued exploration for oil, construction of the Amaila Falls hydropower plant, and huge investments in agriculture, especially in drainage and irrigation. He noted that many of the projects are on stream and “are indicators that our country is advancing steadily along the path of progress.”
Chand related that while development brings along its own set of problems, which are often unforeseen, what should be underlined is the tendency to go forward, not backward. “Better economic performances should bring benefits to our citizens, and be reflected in the advancement of their living standards and betterment of their communities.”
He said that the theme of the congress- “Promoting workers interests to advance Economic and Social Development” captures the objective that the delegates and observers of the congress should seek to achieve from their deliberations.
Chand related that the meeting of this 20th delegates’ Congress is a remarkable manifestation of the democratic nature of the union. “We’ve scored many victories, had our fair share of disappointments, and overall we can proudly claim we positively impacted the sugar industry and certainly our nation’s economic life” he said.