Build strategy to ensure food rights-Agri Minister tells Caribbean affiliates at IUF meeting

Georgetown, GINA, February, 11, 2008

The Caribbean affiliates of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association (IUF) commenced their annual meeting at the Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara to deliberate on issues affecting workers across the Region.
            Delivering the feature address to declare the meeting open, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud in expressing the importance of IUF in response to the effects of globalisation, urged delegates to seriously approach their deliberations with the intent of building a strategy to ensure that the system is geared towards fulfilling the right to food safety, food security and food sovereignty, and the rights and livelihood of people engaged in food production.
            “You have recognised that defending workers’ right is a fundamental class issue and that workers cannot organise in defence of their interests in anti-democratic environments.’
            He noted that as a result of globalisation, many transnational corporations (TNC) due to their dominance, are powerful in determining the production of many commodities and will create a high level of dependency.
            “In the Agriculture and food processing industries, control has been centralised in the hands of a few global corporations through mergers. When corporations that supply seed merge with agro chemicals and biotechnology ones, you have a consolidation of the entire food chain in which people are less able to feed themselves without corporate giants and become more dependent on the products and production methods which will block the food chain.”
            He added that global agriculture does not recognise the social and economic crises which are currently built into the world food system and its negative impact on human lives.
            In ensuring food security, safety and sovereignty, Persaud cautioned against the dangers of removing the Common External Tariff (CET) on socio economic climate in the Caribbean Region.
            “Recent calls within CARIFORUM for the removal of CET so as to allow extra regional imports to be sold more cheaply has killed a once vibrant dairy industry in Jamaica. The removal of CET on rice will witness the death of the industry in Suriname and Guyana and must be protected from subsidized produce.”
            He added that this will be imperative if Caribbean Single Market and Economy is to be effective in its objectives of protecting the people of the Region.
            Persaud’s position further supports President Jagdeo’s criticism of the European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with CARIFORUM stating that TNC would be benefiting at the detriment of the Least Developed Countries (LDC).
            Also speaking at the opening ceremony were: President of IUF Caribbean Office – Helena Molly Burgess, Guyana’s affiliate to the IUF Grantley Culbart – President of the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) and Komal Chand – President of Guyana Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU).
            Both Presidents of CCWU and GAWU have been high in their praises for support received from IUF pertaining to solidarity and provision of training.
            In her presentation, President of IUF Caribbean Office, Helena Burgess illustrated IUF’s commitment towards improved socio-economic conditions for its members, especially its members and also supports the view that trade unions have an integral role protecting workers’ rights in the globalised era operated predominantly by TNC.
            Meanwhile, Komal Chand, GAWU President attested to his organisation’s commitment towards improving facilities for training and empowerment of workers. He stated that GAWU will commence shortly the construction of a modernised training facility at its Kingston Office which would include a dormitory to accommodate 33 persons.
            In expressing plans for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the CCWU, Grantley Culbart stated that his organisation will be negotiating at this meeting for assistance to conduct empowerment exercises for both young people and women who constitute a majority of their union.
            The IUF has its genesis in advocating for workers’ rights since 1920 and still has retained it activity in defence of trade union, human and democratic rights. Today, the IUF consists of 336 trade unions in 120 countries representing a combined membership of over 12 million workers.

more bulletins