The calls for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySyco) to address the company’s long-standing wage dispute with workers have yet again arisen. Scores of workers protested in front of the Uitvlugt Estate this morning.
This protest comes one month after the Sugar workers from Blairmont and Albion protested over wages and salaries. It seems like no progress has been made, according to Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) in a statement.
“Workers of Uitvlugt Estate this morning took part in a picketing exercise calling on Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to resume discussions on the wage/salary improvements for the period 2019 to 2021.
“When the GAWU and the GuySuCo last met to address the issue on March 9, 2021, the parties left with the unambiguous understanding that the Corporation would inform the Union of its position by the end of March 2021.
“The Union, having not heard from the sugar company, on April 9, 2021, wrote the company seeking to hear from the Corporation. At this time, the GuySuCo has not even acknowledged the Union’s correspondence,” GAWU stated.
The Union is of the belief that the company is not going to grant such a request knowing how things would have transpired so far.
GAWU maintained that this is disrespectful to workers and the union knowing the company would have invested in the equipment, etc to have to work done by not investing by way of increasing the salaries.
“The workers held that the GuySuCo was disrespectful to them and the Union. They shared that GuySuCo has boasted of massive investments in the fields and factories but there is no such boisterousness when it comes to addressing the plight of the workers.
“The workers contended in as much as the Corporation recognized the need for investment in its physical assets, its human assets also required some level of investment as well.”
The Union further insisted again that GuySuCo should address their needs since most workers can only do certain things to sustain their families.
GAWU further added that this should not be a factor since the CEO will be looking to increase the price of sugar, which seeks to increase earnings but those earnings should mean an increase in revenue which means increased salaries but the way how negotiation is going, there is a fear that might not happen.
The Union maintains, however, on its part, remains open to frank discussions with the Corporation. Workers are eager to find an amicable settlement that is fair to all sides.
A settlement could be within reach, but it requires an open mind on all sides, GAWU said.
