Minister Persaud meets sugar workers

-concerns over NIS, GRA and GWI raised

Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2008

In the sugar industry many issues affect workers. These include problems with National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) related issues, and problems with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). The Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and representatives from these organisations today met with field and factory union representatives of the East Demerara sugar estates - La Bonne Intention, Enmore and Diamond at the LBI Community Centre Ground.

            Minister Persaud today reminded workers that the sugar industry contributes greatly to the country’s macro-economic stability. He said many people are also dependent on sugar for consumption purposes.

            He highlighted a number of challenges facing the industry including production not being at the desired level and reduced opportunity days. This he said has resulted in work being done day and night. He noted however, that there have been security constraints during night work.

            Minister Persaud said a mechanism to enhance security during the night is currently being formulated with the Joint Services.

            During the interactive session of the meeting employees raised a number of issues. Workers complained that for many employees NIS contributions are unaccounted for. NIS Representative, Harilyn Selman said this was a result of systematic problems as information is being transferred to computer systems. She said this has caused a gap in contribution records.

            It was suggested that updates on employees’ contributions should be sent to the company. Selman noted that statements are being sent to employers for perusal for any deficiency in information. She said this is a result of inhibitors to processing claims where there is insufficient information on documents.

            The workers highlighted a case of disability benefits where they are deemed unfit to work by the corporation’s doctor and are told by NIS’s doctor that they are fit to work. Selman explained that in order for persons to obtain disability benefits they must be deemed permanently incapable of working. It was noted that though the individual’s disability may cause him/her to be unable to do cane harvesting they may still be fit enough to work in another area.

          Minister Persaud told workers that a reform process has started in NIS.

Regarding GRA, workers complained about the unavailability of Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificates. GRA representative, Simeon Beckles said this is a result of glitches in the system. She said the process of distributing TIN certificates was decentralized but because of issues such as duplication of applications as a result of persons applying for TIN more than once, the system is now centralized. Certificates are now available at the GRA Post Office location. Beckles said TIN can be received by calling GRA’s hotline and providing National Identification or Passport number.

            Workers also had issues with the Value Added Tax since they are encountering increase in prices by some shop owners. Beckles said individuals need to report such shop owners and field officers will visit those shops. She encouraged workers not to pay VAT on zero-rated items. It was noted that persons are currently being prosecuted for charging VAT on zero-rated items.

            Sugar workers had a number of issues relating to GWI. Many complained about leakages in their communities which cause contamination of the drinking water supply. The GWI representative said there are current interventions to repair leaks. GWI workers along with contractors are working on the backlog of leak repairs. The backlog on the East Coast has cleared and work is ongoing on those on the East Bank.

            As it relates to invoices it was noted that some residents contribute to large bills. Some leave pipes on while others have water tanks that overflow.  

            A concern was also raised about connection fees. It was noted that in new government housing developments the cost is $1000 but, in established developments it is $13,000 because the material used is imported and therefore costly.

            Some workers noted that water is not easily accessed through stand pipes. They were told that this occurs because some communities are more elevated than others.

 

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