Date: March 6, 2012

For Immediate Release to all Media Houses

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AFC’s new Region 5 RMC meets with Blairmont sugar workers

The Alliance For Change, represented by the newly elected Chairman of the AFC Region Five Management Committee (RMC), Mr Abel Seetaram, RMC Treasurer and Regional Councillor, Mr Herman Anthony, RMC Secretary and Regional Councillor, Cindy Sookdeo, RMC Public Relations Officer, Mr Kenneth Bowman, AFC Executive, Gerhard Ramsaroop and his wife, Michelle Ramsaroop, on Sunday, March 4 2012, met with some of the aggrieved Blairmont sugar-workers at the Ithaca Government School ground, West Bank Berbice. 

They reiterated the issue of obstacles (mainly vines on the canes), which was the root cause of the recent strikes.  They explained that the reason there are now so many vines in the fields is because management is trying to save on costs in maintaining the fields.  Therefore, when management unilaterally decided to reduce the price of obstacles encountered from $150 and $300 to $20 and $40, the workers immediately downed tools.  They said that while management has now agreed to go back to the old scheme, it remains to be seen, and that tensions are still high.

They said too, that management seem not to understand that they cannot cut the same amount of cane in the wet season as they can in the dry.   They also underscored that since GuySuCo began using ripening agents some years back, that makes it even harder for them to make good tonnage because the canes now ripen at a smaller size.  Another difficulty they encounter is that in recent times, canes are being planted too close to the edges of the fields and often end up in the canals, making them very hard to cut.  They said they complained to management about this, but to no avail, with management reportedly saying canes can’t grow in the canals.

Almost all of the workers had problems with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), saying large portions of their records are missing, and this seems to be the norm nationally.  AFC Chairman, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan has an entire cabinet full of NIS cases, and the AFC will move a motion in Parliament for a full enquiry into that institution.  Among other difficulties mentioned was the poor condition of the crossings into the fields, many being entirely submerged.  The workers also reiterated the abuse of the ambulance for personal errands and the issue of the tractors that were reportedly bought for some G$18M each, and didn’t last more than a few weeks in the fields before experiencing major damage, for which there was no apparent warranty.

The AFC once again, made it clear to the workers that it was not there to replace the union, but to highlight their cause in the hope of a speedy resolution.  The AFC emphasised that the sugar industry is in trouble and that it must not be allowed to collapse.   It is vital not just as a major employer and foreign exchange earner, but also as future major sources of energy, namely bagasse and ethanol.

The workers also engaged the AFC on other issues, such as the likelihood of snap elections, whether oil will be found and the consequences for the sugar industry, crime and security, and the Berbice Bridge.  As it related to snap elections, the AFC said that it remains in preparedness, but given the mood of the PPP’s core supporters, rice farmers, cash crop farmers, sugar workers, fisher-folk, etc in reaction to the recent flooding, conditions of work, low pay and crime, and that Ramotar may not be the PPP’s candidate, it is unlikely.  

On the question of oil and the sugar industry, the AFC said it is confident that the local oil industry will be realised and expressed to the workers that as long as the PPP finds it politically expedient and finds “amenable” partners, that they will not shut down the sugar industry.  The AFC on the other hand, maintains its pledge if it were to accede to office, to turn the industry around and engage in major expansion toward a viable ethanol industry through experienced partners, such as the Brazilians.

On the issue of crime and security, the workers were told of Mr Ramjattan’s advocacy to reform the security sector since 1993, that he was raked over the coals at Freedom House for, and that the AFC fully supported the recent G$1.2B British Security Sector Reform Project (SSRP), which the PPP torpedoed.  The AFC pointed out that one of the consequences of the PPP’s inability to deal with crime and security resulted in the Berbice Bridge being placed where it is and not further downriver where it would have greatly benefitted the riverbank communities.  The AFC promised however, to ardently continue its work through Parliament toward a more secure society.

In answering the questions on the Berbice Bridge whether it would have to be moved and the issue of the high tolls, the AFC restated that the Bridge will have to be moved on account of the effect the bridge anchors have on the flow of the river which will lead to greater siltation, and moreover, there is the PPP’s pledge of a deep water harbour for which the dredging is likely to affect the Bridge.  The AFC said it will continue its advocacy for allowing bicycles on the Bridge, and for a shuttle vehicle for pedestrians.  It will also support any other measures for lowering the tolls.

End.

New AFC Region 5 Committee

From left to right: Carl Sutton - Vice Chairman, Yan Weekes - Assistant Secretary, Kenneth Bowman - Public Relations Officer, Abel Seetaram Seetaram - Chairman, Cindy Sookdeo - Secretary and Regional Councillor and Herman Anthony - Treasurer and Regional Councillor.