Workers unite in countrywide strike
Christopher Ram engaging workers on Thursday
Workers outside the Wales Sugar Estate
Wales Factory, Estate closure
BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR
Workers employed at the Wales Sugar Estate on Thursday stood unified as they took strike action against the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Government’s decision to close the factory which will affect hundreds of poor and ordinary Guyanese families.
Around 07:00h, hundreds of workers were seen gathered around the estate opting not to perform the day’s duties. Many cane cutters said that GuySuCo has given little explanation on severance pay packages.
Workers outside the Wales Sugar EstateSome workers said they were told that employees with longer service will most likely be transferred to Utivlugt.
Others said they were made aware that older workers would receive severance packages after termination of their services. Some decried the service pay measure, positing that they were unsure how they will provide for their families after that money ran out.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand said these measures, including strikes, will continue as the Union is firmly against the move of closure. He however did not specify the length of this latest action.
Cane Cutter Anthony Thomas who described himself as a ‘family man’ blamed the closure on bad management and thieving. Thomas stated that if the estate indeed closes, he must be allocated his severance pay.
On the other hand, Vishnu Mohan said that he is mostly worried for his children and is against receiving severance pay. He and a group of gentlemen standing at the estate’s second entrance all demanded that operations at the estate continue.
“When you a tek severance and yo money done wah you ah do? Wah yo pickeney dem ah do? He stated that this closure means that he would have great difficulty in sending his children to school.
Mohamed Klaim Khan, a 49-year-old father of three, said that he agrees that the estate should not be closed as his entire family depends upon him.
“This a de only means of meh sustenance so far,” the cane cutter related. He also said that one of his children attends West Demerara Secondary and he does not know how he will be able to pay for lessons and transportation costs. Khan further posited that GuySuCo officials are yet to discuss a possible move to Utivlugt.
Joanna Bailey, a seller and mother of four from Patentia, also has a daughter attending the West Demerara Secondary and she is calling on the Government to look into her plight and that of the younger generation.
“I work two bucket for many years at the GuySuCo [Wales] Estate… I have a child who is in secondary school [who has] to write the CXC, SBA, assignment, lesson… and I would like the Government to look down on single parents – concern of the cry and the heart for the tomorrow young people [who] have no hope,” Bailey expressed.
Esau Hussein, 52, said he has been working with GuySuCo as a cane cutter since 1979 and has witnessed the hardships workers have faced in the past from closures in La Bonne Intention and Diamond.
“Me nah glad fo know wah gonna happen – it rough,” stated Hussein in a somber tone. He is calling on GuySuCo and the Government to “give Wales a second chance.”
Floyd King of Belle West, a father of two, stated that some discussion was held regarding a preference to transfer to Uitvlugt or receive severance pay.
“Me an know yet wah I decide cause yo gah fo discuss it with yo family before you could mek de decision,” King related.
Two young men in the machinery section related to this publication that they were unsure whether they would be transferred to Uitvlugt.
Chartered Accountant and Transparency International Guyana Vice President, Christopher Ram, was on site engaging with the estate workers.
It was also reported that Claudis Charles of the Free and Easy Cane Farmer Society laid out a plan which stated that the farmers can manage the estate with “initial assistance” from the Government.
At the strike on Thursday, workers welcomed this proposal; with many noting that anything is better than the estate being closed which would hamper their livelihoods and the community.
Workers will march this evening from Patentia to the estate; while GAWU Branch Committee is planning other solidarity marches in Canals Number One and Two.
Government announced the move to close the estate as a cost measure, saying that Wales will this year account for $1.9 billion in losses.
