IT has to be good news, both for the country and the entity itself, that GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) is in the process of achieving its 2014 target of 216,000 tonnes of sugar.Again, this would be a well-deserved milestone, given the many trials and tribulations of an industry that has given so much to the nation, but has been experiencing its fair share of challenges within recent years.

GuySuCo is indeed one of Guyana’s major industrial giants, with its produce, sugar, inherently a seminal part of this nation’s historical evolution of working class struggle, beginning from the days of slavery right through to the system of indentureship.

It would also be appropriate to state that its most significant period of struggle occurred when that indomitable champion of the working class, the late revered Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, championed the cause of the many thousands who laboured under the abysmal conditions of the plantocracy.

Thus, it has taken decades of cruel toil and bloody sacrifice, including that historical event of the Enmore Martyrs in June, 1948, for the gradual gains that have gone into making GuySuCo, what it is to the nation and the many thousands in its employ.
As the State’s largest employer, of over 20,000 personnel, and a further 100,000 dependents of many kinds, GuySuCo is indeed Guyana! It is too big to fail! Therefore, the decision of the Government to invest in the building of the Skeldon flagship project has to be understood, especially against the background of the European Union’s decision to reduce the sugar importation quotas of the ACP (African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries) grouping, which threatened not only the local industry, but the need to produce sugar at competitive market prices as well.
Hence, it was an enlightened decision of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C) Government to ensure the viability of this vital industry, in addition to protecting and ensuring the jobs of the many thousands whose contribution are absolutely integral to its productive success.
Any Government, especially one with such a working-class pedigree as the PPP/C’s, would have taken similar action, and continue to aid this national industry in its hour of need. This line of reasoning is extended to those political Opposition parties, whose many wild suggestion about what to do with GuySuCo could only be branded as anti-worker and anti-national.
Many would have since parted company with the sugar industry, perhaps unsure as to its future. Nevertheless, they must be thanked for their contributions. But very special commendations should be given to those whose faith in the industry has compelled them to remain within its employ. It is these industrious workers whose daily conscientious toil have caused GuySuCo’s productive capacity to be very much improved at this point in time.
The truism that “rain does not fall continuously, but will cease”, when applied to GuySuCo does seem to forecast that blue skies are now gradually re-appearing over this well-deserving industry that will continue to play a lead role in the nation’s development.
As such we join with all patriotic Guyanese in wishing this industry the very best as it seeks to regain its renowned status as a champion centre of national economic productivity, and once again saluting those workers who are aiding in GuySuCo’s recovery.

extracted from the Guyana Chronicle