Guyanese who exist in the displaced sugar communities are also in need of Govt’s support

Dear Editor,

The GAWU indeed was saddened to learn of the situation facing the employees of Troy Resources Guyana Inc. The loss of jobs for hundreds of families is most distressing especially considering the situation of our times. We have seen from media reports that the Government has said it was caught unawares and deemed the layoffs as “unconscionable”. The media did report that the Company was contemplating its future; it appears to us that the Government wasn’t properly reading the tea leaves and was caught on the proverbial back foot. Certainly, we believe, in these times no measure, whatever the extremity, should be discounted. This appeared not to be the case in the Government’s camp.

The Government, we saw, in a statement on the matter which appeared in the November 20, Stabroek News pointed out that the Company’s decision comes “…as the world heads into the Christmas season…”. Indeed it is a sad time to be without a job when we expect to have the niceties of life to celebrate with those near and dear to us. According to Stabroek News’ report, the Government “…has appointed a sub-committee to further examine this matter and engage Troy Resources with a view to reactivating its mining operations expeditiously”. This is heartening news and we are hopeful that the Committee is most successful in its task to allow the workers to be reemployed within the shortest period.

But while the GAWU is pleased by the Government’s intervention on this matter, we note a complete 180 degree approach to the sugar industry and more so those affected by the Administration’s “unconscionable” decision to put 7,000 workers on the breadline. We must ask what happened to any committee, Cabinet or otherwise, set up by the Government to consider and examine the plight of these Guyanese. Aren’t they similarly deserving? Shouldn’t they and their families too have a happy, jolly Christmas too?

President David Granger who is known for his embrace of national songs should remind himself of the words of the Song of Guyana’s Children. He and his colleagues would recall the song saying “Thus to the land which to us God has given, May our young lives bring a gift rich and rare, Thus, as we grow, may the worth of Guyana, Shine with a glory beyond all compare”. Those are sentiments that should not be treated lightly. It is the wish of all our nation’s children to go on to reach for the stars, attain their goals and live fulfilling and contented lives.

The Guyanese who exist in the displaced sugar communities are also in need of the Government’s support and assistance. They seek, like everyone else, to be happy and to enjoy the basic necessities of life. They seek that their children be educated, are fed and be good people. They seek that they and their families can live in peace and without undue pressure and hardship. Certainly, the Government, we reiterate, has a role and the continued ignorance of these Guyanese cannot be seen as anything less than discriminatory. Yours faithfully,

Seepaul Narine

General Secretary

GAWU