Karibee rice has seen close to 3% hike in cost – Nand Persaud

-some labourers imported from India

Karibee rice across Guyana has seen close to a 3% increase in prices and according to the Chairman of the Number 36 Village, Corentyne rice milling operation, Nand Persaud & Company, Rajendra Persaud this is mainly due to the increase in transportation and labour costs.

In Stabroek News’ series ‘How the cost of living is affecting people’ residents throughout the country have reported an increase in several commodities and often cite Karibee rice. Persaud yesterday confirmed this by saying that there has been about a 2.6% increase in the cost. Retailers appear to have added a significant mark-up.

According to Nand Persaud’s chairman, the hike has been a result mainly of the increase in transportation and labour costs, however, he stressed that the rice remains affordable to customers.

He said that in Brazil and Asia, the prices have increased an average of 25% noting, “We haven’t seen that in Guyana.”

Meanwhile, several businesses within Region Six have reported challenges in accessing labour. According to most, since the boom of the construction industry locally and the implementation of the ten-day parttime programme – a combination of the two has left private businesses searching for labour.

Persaud yesterday said that on one side the combination of the construction boom and part-time programme is extremely “good” as there is a lot of development and “you’re gaining”, while on the other side, there are challenges in finding labour as such he said there should be plans developed for businesses to access labour “so we can maintain the rice industry and agriculture, and oil and gas on their own.”

According to him, the company has secured some labour from India. A total of 20 persons came, 15 of whom have remained. He has also employed some Venezuelans who have been coming to the region.

Explaining the process in terms of bringing in labour from India, Persaud said the company is responsible for providing accommodation as well as a salary. He noted too that there have been challenges due to the different languages.

Further, Persaud stressed that the government has been very supportive, and open in allowing access to the importing of a labour force however in order to strengthen this process there should be some sort of system.

He believes with the implementation of a system businesses will be able to access labour easier.

According to Persaud, with the current condition of the labour force, he believes that this system will have to be set up in the near future.