GuySuCo should handle severance pay issues more compassionately

Dear Editor,

I wish to record my grave concern with the manner in which the severance pay issue for the East Demerara Sugar Estate workers was handled since the downsizing of GuySuCo began with the closure of the LBI sugar factory in March 2011.

More than 80 factory workers were shunted to the Enmore location, which already had its operating staff, and this contributed to a bloated staff complement and heavy wage bill.

A major political blunder was made then and we all believe it will have to be addressed shortly: a directive was given not to issue severance pay to anyone even though many were entitled to it; this was a most inhumane, highhanded and prejudicial act.

A few of these former workers from the LBI factory are said to still have their severance pay issues pending. I believe they should be given just and human treatment, and I also believe if the sugar unions that we now see agitating for severance pay for sugar workers at other locations had done the same thing when the LBI factory was closed the situation would have been different. In the latter part of last year a number of clerical and field staff of LBI estate were given their severance pay from GuySuCo. I know that a few of these workers invested their severance and are doing well for themselves.

I believe the handling of the severance pay issues by GuySuCo should be more compassionate and humanitarian. These former and current sugar workers faithfully served GuySuCo, and could do more to serve their country; they should not be looked down on.

The staff of the relevant departments of GuySuCo should be trained in a way similar to customer service agents in order to deal with pay issues, given the emerging scenario of downsizing GuySuCo, something which we all should support to ensure the corporation’s viability.

I am therefore certain that taxpayers will be willing to foot any excess severance pay bill.

Yours faithfully, (Name and address provided)