Sugar industry remains important to the economy and should continue to be supported
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was indeed surprised and, also, not acquainted with some of the assertions and revelations made by Mr Abel Seetaram in his letter titled `Given the state of GuySuCo, benefits to estate managers must be trimmed’ that appeared in the October 14, 2016 Stabroek News.
At the outset, we must express our strong disagreement with Mr Seetaram’s view that the industry is no longer viable.
We wish to draw to the author’s attention that the sugar industry’s viability and future is secured by pursuing certain diversification which has been publicly distilled on several occasions. These endeavours, we must remind, were reflected in the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry.
While, indeed, the European Union (EU) price cut posed challenges to the industry it cannot be ignored that the industry’s production has fallen precipitously in recent years. For 2016, sugar production is expected to reach about 194,000 tonnes, according to GuySuCo. It is a dramatic fall from the target of 242,000 tonnes declared in the 2016 Budget.
It is agreed that the industry’s productive capacity is far in excess of the Budget target but the industry continues to be hamstrung by various agronomic maladies. Careful attention to this important aspect of the industry’s operations is required most urgently.
The author also makes reference to the denial of “several packages”. This is indeed a startling revelation and he may want to share with the Union and/or the public the details of these “packages”? From the GAWU’s point-of-view we have always sought to ensure that sugar workers and all workers the union represents get the maximum possible benefits and that their rights and conditions are safeguarded and promoted. We have never and will never engage in action/s which are inimical to such positions and we find Mr Seetaram’s assertions most disturbing and untrue.
We are pleased, however, to note the author’s support for workers to enjoy improved pay and benefits.
It is noted that he seeks to juxtapose the denial of such improvements in 2015 and 2016 to profitability. This raises the question if “profitability” is the only criterion used in determining improvements for workers’ wages