We must work together to ensure success of sugar investments
- Agri Minister tells sugar workers of Berbice estates

Georgetown, GINA, May 06, 2008.

Sugar workers have been urged time and again to play their role in ensuring that the significant investments currently being made to modernise and upgrade the sugar industry amidst its many challenges, are successful and reap maximum benefits.
            The call was echoed today by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud during a meeting with sugar-cane workers, representatives of the various workers’ unions and senior personnel of estates in Berbice including the General Managers. The meeting took place at the Albion estate at which discussions were focused on addressing some of the main issues facing the industry.

A section of the gathering at the meeting with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and sugar-cane workers of Berbice estates at Albion, Region Six. (A GINA/Ravi Singh photo)  

Representatives from entities such as the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) were present at the session.
Workers were reminded of issues such as low labour turnout and frequent protest actions that lead to reduced production and output at a time when the industry is already faced with other challenges such as the harsh price cuts that are resulting in a significant loss of revenue annually. Additionally, reference was made to the negative impact of climate change on the industry.
The workers were told that their support is necessary to avert an irreversible situation in the industry and were urged to collaborate with all parties including management to ensure that the industry overcome its difficulties and continue to develop.
“You need to recognise the cold hard facts and we want to enlist you in supporting us to mitigate the dangers we face. We can’t control what the EU (European Union) will do or the price on the market. What we could control is what we do, how we manage and how we treat the resources of the company,” Minister Persaud told the audience.
It was mentioned that issues at the management level are recognised and necessary adjustments are being made, some of which have been done while others are underway. Establishment of a new board of directors that includes personnel with specialized skills and changes in several managerial positions were outlined.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addresses sugar-cane workers of Berbice estates at Albion, Region Six. (A GINA/Ravi Singh photo)  

Workers were assured that the efforts will continue to clean-up the operations to ensure maximum efficiency, effective accountability and better utilisation of the company’s resources. In this regard, they were called upon to support the ongoing changes and approaches being taken to safeguard the industry’s future.
The issues raised by the workers were mainly related to the basic utility services, electricity and water, pension and other NIS benefits and revenue matters and were responded to by respective representatives. The need for greater awareness of matters relating to the various sectors, educational information and better commercial services were highlighted.
Arising from the meeting today was he decision that the workers will be represented through their unions at the Regional Administration monthly Board meetings to ensure that they are regularly updated on matters relating to their activities and well-being.
Additionally, there will be greater interaction between the workers and entities such as GWI, GPL, NIS and GRA through the various representatives to address the issues pertinent to the operations and the workers of the sugar industry.
One of Government’s largest investments in the sugar industry is the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) that entails construction of the new factory, co-generation plant and agricultural expansion to supply the feedstock for the plant. Plans are underway to have the factory commissioned and put in operation for the second crop of this year.

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