GAWU Combat - 17 July - 30 September 2016

Issue#4 Volume#37

Combat Voice of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

21st Delegates’ Congress – success amidst threats The 21st Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was indeed a historic and significant event in the Union’s life. The Congress, while very successful, indeed faced its more than fair share of challenges and saw massive obstacles placed in its way.

The three-(3)-day event brought together hundreds of delegates from among the enterprises where the Union enjoys bargaining rights. Those worker-delegates, among other things, were charged with the task of reviewing the Union’s work and achievements since the 20th Congress held in 2012, as well as to cast their minds ahead to chart a course for the Union in the ensuing years.

The Congress is also necessary for the Union to be a properly constituted body. After the Congress, the names of the Union’s officers and trustees, a breakdown of its membership, among other things, must be forwarded to the Registrar of Trade Unions.

The Congress saw many delegates expressing their concern and dismay over the prevaling attitude of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo). They reasoned that the ‘new’ behaviour adopted by GuySuCo was not supportive of the turnaround of the industry, which is very important to all Guyanese. They were also very strong in their objection to the Government and GuySuCo’s decision to close the Wales Estate.

Quite correctly, they expressed their strong condemnation of the closure, and took account of the harsh repercussions that will certainly follow thousands of their compatriots. They also strongly expressed the view that the current attitude of GuySuCo and the Government towards the sugar workers and workers generally requires the unity of the working class to combat the highhandedness and unilaterality being displayed in recent months.

A major challenge which threatened to derail the Congress was the denial of paid release and assistance with for sugar workers from GuySuCo attending the Congress. The Corporation, just days prior to the commencement of the Congress, informed the Union of its position. The sudden abandonment of the longstanding practice by GuySuCo posed a major problem, but the Union’s careful spending over the years allowed it to fund the sugar workers’ participation from its resources. During the Congress’s business sessions, delegates condemned the GuySuCo decision, deeming it discriminatory.

Continued on page eight COMBAT

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July 17 to September 30, 2016

GuySuCo interaction disappoints and concerns sugar unions

Delegations from the sugar unions at the meeting

Unions representing the workers within the sugar industry – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) – on September 29, 2016 at a meeting summoned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) had their high expectations fall on learning about the Corporation’s plans for the future and what is in store for the general well-being of the 17,000-person workforce.

The meeting left our Unions very disappointed and concerned over the sugar industry’s future direction.

The GuySuCo team headed by members of the Interim Management Committee though saying it wants to safeguard the livelihoods of the thousands who depend on the industry’s operations painted an excessively dark and pessimistic picture of the current status and future of the industry. Both the CEO and the Finance Director advised that the GuySuCo, based on projections until year 2025, will remain reliant on Government support for its operations. The industry, in recent times, has benefitted from financial assistance to assist in its revitalization but yet the amounts sought by GuySuCo continue to increase year after year. The disaggregation of this financial support in the past and future, we feel, may be informative.

We were, however, pleased to learn that production would reach 320,000 tonnes sugar during the 2017 – 2025 period. This favourable projection represents, possibly, the highest productivity level ever recorded given the fact that industry’s cultivable area will be reduced.

We recall the last time the industry recorded similar production levels were during the 2002-2004 period

when the Diamond Estate cultivation was operable. To attain the projected target in times when even the Wales Estate cultivation is expected to be abandoned will indeed be praiseworthy. It indeed tells us that there is great scope for the industry to be turned around and for production to rebound.

At this meeting, we were disheartened to learn that GuySuCo, during the 20172025 period, would remain a raw sugar producer. Our Unions have long held the view that the industry needs to broaden its product base and it must be gradually transformed from a sugar to sugar cane industry in which the entire plant is used to produce various products. On this score, our Unions pointed out to the GuySuCo officials that the industry has much scope for diversification and drew to their attention the opportunities in the areas of bagasse co-generation, sugar refining and distilling. These initiatives also were recommended by the very costly Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry. It is widely recognized that these areas offer viable opportunities for the industry to overcome its present challenges and be placed on a sustainable path.

The Corporation, however, did not address our suggestions but made mention of the project to plant rice at Wales as well as possible ventures into aquaculture, citrus fruits and dairy cattle. These ventures we gather will be pursued in the near-term but, we understand, if implemented, may not or improve worthily the Corporation’s financial standing and, therefore, can be seen as inconsequential. Also, on this note, we wish to draw to the Corporation’s attention to the Economic and Finance report of the Sugar CoI which explicitly recommended that the other crops be first pursued outside of GuySuCo lands. It is recalled that aspect of the Commission’s report was prepared by current GuySuCo Chairman, Professor Clive Thomas.

Our Unions also took the opportunity of the meeting to inquire about a wage rise for workers this year (2016).

On this issue the Corporation said the meeting was not to address this important issue to all workers. It seems, at this time, that sugar workers may again be denied a pay rise. This most discriminatory treatment, we warn, is not in the interest of the industry especially at a time when the commitment and dedication of all workers are required.

Continued on page seven PAGE ONE

COMMENTARY:

GUYANA’S MID-YEAR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

Harvesting of rice: the industry has declined 26.2 per cent for the first half of 2016

The recent Mid-Year Report which addressed Guyana’s economic performance up to the end of June this year was released on August 08, 2016 by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. The report, though appearing to be rosy on the surface, paints a very worrying picture about the country’s economy and its trajectory.

It confirms, in some respects, the notion that the economy is slowing and on the decline.

While the report points out that the economy grew by 2 per cent largely due to improvements in the extractive sectors – gold and diamond mining, bauxite production and quarrying – it is a nonrenewable sector, we must add, and one which attracts foreign capital in a big way. At the same time, the performance of other productive sectors gives rise for concern. In the mainstay sugar and rice sectors, declines of 30 and 26.2 per cent respectively were recorded. In forestry, the sector contracted by 13.1 per cent.

Overall, the forestry, fishing and agricultural sectors declined by 10 per cent.

Those sectors are major job providers in the Guyanese economy, and play significant roles in the maintenance of social stability in the rural and interior regions of Guyana.

Also, the Bank of Guyana’s half-year report points out that the manufacturing sector declined some 14 per cent. That report tells us also that wholesale and retail trade fell by 11.3 per cent on account of “economy uncertainty and lower domestic demand”.

The construction sector, also a larger employer of artisan and unskilled labour, is experiencing hard times too, as it recorded a 7.5 per cent decline during the period. The Mid-Year Report, though advising that mortgage lending grew by 4.9 per cent, also tells us that growth in this COMBAT

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area is slowing when compared with improvements of 14.4 percent at June 2015 and 17.0 percent at June 2014.

The summation of the peaks and troughs tells us there is a great deal to be worried about. For the working-class, the impact on jobs and workers’ benefits is high on the list. In recent months, through press and other reports, it had been learnt that many hundreds of workers have been laid off in both the private and public sectors.

The most recent was about 180 at the forestry enterprise Barama. The threat of greater joblessness stalks the land, and soon, unless there is a change of heart, the ranks of the unemployed will swell by a further 1,700 persons with the closure of Wales Estate. Not too long ago, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) estimated that youth unemployment was in the vicinity of 40 per cent. Certainly, against a slowing economy, declines in many sectors, incorrect and unfortunate decisions in the sugar industry, among other things, that statistic must be much higher now.

It is difficult to see how the Government’s mantra of “A Good Life for All Guyanese” will be met. We are told that oil is not too far away, but, at the same time, our attention is drawn to the limited employment opportunities in that industry. While indeed oil will provide additional revenues, some unofficial estimates have found the contribution to be not as meaningful as is touted. It therefore tells us that oil is no silver bullet, and it cannot supplant the roles of our traditional industries. But we believe it provides an opportunity, as well as the financing, for us to modernize and produce higher value-chain products from our traditional industries, further diversify the economy, and hopefully lift the hopes for a better future.

FITUG denounces measly antiworker salary increases proposed for public servants The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) hereby places on record its disgust over the virtually insulting salary increase “final” offer proffered to the nation’s public servants by their employer – the APNU-AFC Granger-led Administration.

Betraying its rosy manifesto offer of “substantial increases”, the government’s miserly offer to its own employees is being made even as “the good life for all” seems to be now limited to those ministers, who benefited from the steep remuneration increases not too long after their swearing in. Such increases are now salt in the wounds of the nation’s government employees.

Delaying tactics were numerous before this “final offer” was made, but this offer has been described by several citizens as “obscene”, “insulting”, and such like. Public servants, initially were made to await the Report of the Public Service Commission of Inquiry, for instance. After the delay came the blow. The mean 10 per cent to 1 per cent offer is not being embraced by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) which describes it as falling woefully short of its just demands.

FITUG notes the responses of the GPSU (and indeed the nation’s Teachers Union) and offers its wholehearted solidarity on this matter.

FITUG therefore embraces the GPSU’s contention that no full-time worker, whether public or private sector, should be forced to go hungry, without reasonable shelter, basic clothing, adequate leisure, and with wages which doom a worker to poverty.

Poverty robs the worker and his or her family of their self-esteem, their dignity and a decent life. FITUG is mindful of the struggles for a living wage carried out for years, and which has helped to protect the workers at the lowest level of the socio-economic structure. Our situation calls not for a nominal wage, but a ‘real wage’ which can adequately cover the mounting cost of living.

FITUG, at this time, also welcome the recent announcement by the Government that bauxite workers’ overtime earnings would be tax-free. In expressing our pleasure over this development and benefit to the identified workers, we also urge that similar consideration be given to workers in the private and public sectors as well.

The workers of Guyana - in sugar and in other economic entities - have more financial burdens piled upon their shoulders. The Coalition Government has a duty to implement a wage policy that would effectively address this reality in the interest of all our members.

Court orders GuySuCo to consult Unions on Wales’ workers High Court Judge Justice Brassington Reynolds on August 31, 2016 ordered the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to consult with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) regarding transfer to Uitvlugt Estate or redundancy of workers of Wales Estate arising from the Corporation’s closure decision.

On May 06, 2016, our Union, together with the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), approached the High Court, seeking that GuySuCo engage the Unions in keeping with the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA), regarding the redundancy, deployment, etc of the workers arising from the decision to close Wales Estate.

The Unions, through their attorney-atlaw, argued that GuySuCo was in breach of statutory duty of Section 12(3)(b) of the Act, which requires the Corporation consults with the recognized Unions.

The Unions submitted in court papers that GuySuCo’s alleged failure to consult amounts to a flagrant violation and contravention of the Act. GAWU and NAACIE argued that the right of Trade Unions to participate in negotiations involving employees and employer is a sacred and sacrosanct right, fought for and won by workers after centuries of struggle.

After listening to arguments from lawyers representing the Unions and the Corporation, the Judge concluded that GuySuCo was not adhering to the TESPA, and ordered that GuySuCo meet with the Union to engage in a consultative exercise as required by the Act. Following the ruling, the Corporation and the Union jointly met with the concerned workers who have been deemed redundant to determine their position regarding their employment with the Corporation. In view of the developments, the Judge discharged the injunction on September 29, 2016 paving the way for the redundant workers to receive their severance payments on October 07, 2016.

PAGE TWO

Assaults on sugar workers discussed by IUF Executive Committee denied same.

Members of the IUF Executive Committee at their meeting

General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Cde Seepaul Narine, who is an Executive Committee member and President of the IUF’s Caribbean region, attended the organisation’s Executive Committee meeting which was held on 7 and 8 September, 2016. During the meeting, Cde Narine took the opportunity to brief the IUF on the current challenges being faced by workers in the sugar industry, among other things. The text of his presentation is as follows:“On behalf of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), I bring to the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) warmest greetings of solidarity. We meet at a time of great challenge to working-peoples of the world. For the working peoples, the capitalist crisis of eight (8) years ago has meant unemployment, austerity, threats to pensions, cuts in social services, and growing impoverishment. We are told by the ILO that there were 197.1 million unemployed people globally last year. Furthermore, the ILO estimated that 327 million employed people were living in extreme poverty, and another 967 million in moderate or near-poverty.

In Guyana, we are also seeing signs of declining economic fortunes of our working-people. A recent report from the Government recalled that there is reduced output in many important economic sectors, including the mainstay COMBAT

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rice and sugar industries. Obviously, the working people are the first to be affected.

Alongside the dismal economic report, workers are faced with more taxes, while the present government has shelved several initiatives and subsidies aimed at assisting the working-people and elderly.

Our Union – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) – and the sugar workers are also seeing worrying changes. We have been forced within recent times to confront a heavyhanded Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo). Ever since the Interim Management Committee (IMC) was appointed sixteen (16) months ago, workers’ rights and benefits have been threatened and rolled back, and high-handedness and unilateral decision-making are now the new order.

In 2015, for the first time in over three (3) decades, sugar workers did not obtain a wage adjustment, notwithstanding the rising cost of living. This denial is also connected with GuySuCo’s refusal to engage GAWU in Collective Bargaining last year and this year, so far, as well. The Corporation’s actions at once contravenes the Collective Labour Agreement, the Trade Union Recognition Act, the Guyana Constitution and ILO Convention 151.

It is important to point out that public sector employees were granted wage/salary increases following the passage of the 2015 Budget. However, sugar workers, who constitute 34 per cent of the State’s employees and are eligible to benefit from similar pay rise, were unapologetically

Our Union also has been engaged in fierce struggles in opposing and calling for the rescinding of the Government’s decision to close one of the seven (7) estates – the Wales Estate.

Expectedly, based on the Government’s plan, the Estate, which employs about 1,700 workers or 10 per cent of the industry’s workforce, should be closed in a matter of weeks. The closure will negatively impact those union members with respect to their employment and their family’s well-being. It will also affect the residents of many communities and close to 800 cane farmers who would suffer heavy financial losses. At this time, the workers, the farmers and residents are staging a struggle, to have the unpopular decision reversed. In this struggle our Union is taking a leading role.

We are also perturbed by the blatant and

unconscionable reversal of workers’ gains won over years and in struggles. Now we must struggle to protect these. Moreover, the Corporation has shut the door in several instances to dialogue and discussions with the workers and the Union. Seemingly, special efforts towards creating an untenable atmosphere in the industry are being promoted.

With such challenges which have emerged, the GAWU sees an arduous road ahead. In such circumstances, GAWU will rely on the continued support and solidarity of the IUF and its affiliates. At this time, I wish to express the Union’s thanks to the IUF for the solidarity it has given us.

Our class adversaries are not asleep.

We, too, must be vigilant and raise the struggles to frustrate their designs and schemes against the working-class nationally and internationally.

In closing, I express our Union’s solidarity to all those in the frontlines of the struggles for betterment and a new, just, democratic socio-economic order.

I wish this meeting every success. Long live the IUF! Thank you.

IUF in solidarity with sugar workers and their rights.

The Executive Committee of the IUF, meeting in Geneva on September 7-8 2016, expresses its full support for the sugar workers of Guyana, represented by our affiliates - the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), who are fighting to defend their industry, their livelihoods

We strongly c on d e m n the unjustifiable planned closing of the Wales estate, with the loss of 1,700 jobs, the exclusion of sugar workers from the wage adjustment for public sector workers, and the government’s refusal to enter into good faith collective bargaining with unions in the sugar sector.

Our sisters and brothers in Guyana can continue to count on our solidarity and support.

PAGE THREE

INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL

In post-olympics Brazil, a political coup is no game for political leaders around the world to do, and, in fact, prior Brazilian presidents have used this same method.”

The lower house of Congress voted to impeach Dilma last April, and the Senate then began proceedings. She was suspended during the deliberations, and replaced by Michel Temer as interim president. “During the Olympics,” Glenn Greenwald noted, “Mr. Temer broke protocol by demanding that his name not be announced at the opening ceremony, because he was scared of being booed by the crowd. That’s how unpopular and hated he Ousted Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff addressing the nation following her impeachment is. And yet ... they did boo him, quite viciously.”

By Amy Goodman & Denis Moynihan use of torture and assassination against On Wednesday, Aug. 31, the Brazilian Brazilians. The U.S. Government continThe Olympic Torch in Rio de Janeiro has ued to support the dictatorship in Brazil, Senate formally voted 60 to 21 to imbeen extinguished, and the global spot- as it did in Argentina and other Latin peach Dilma. Remarkably, most of those who voted to oust her are themselves curlight has left Brazil. In the shadow of the American countries. games, an extraordinary event has taken In 2003, the people of Brazil elected rently under investigation for corruption.

As one secretly recorded conversation confirms, the likely reason that the Senate sought to impeach Dilma was to quash all the ongoing corruption investigations against sitting senators and members of Congress.

Dilma marched out and, surrounded by supporters, denounced the proceedings: “This is the second coup I have faced in life.

The first, the military coup, supported by weapons of repression and torture, struck me as a young militant. The second-parliamentary coup that unfolded today through a legal farce-knocks me from the position for which I was elected by the people.”

Brazil is a remarkable country, with more than 200 million people, a vibrant culture, a huge economy, and with the majority of the threatened Amazon rainforest within its borders - a vital role to play in the fight to limit human-induced climate change. With all the challenges before them, the people of Brazil deserve a swift repudiation of this coup by all governments, but most importantly by President Barack Obama and those presidential candidates who aspire to replace him.

A nationwide strike by tens of millions of Indian public sector workers has been hailed by union officials as “the world’s largest ever” industrial action. Last-minute concessions by the finance and labour ministries could not ward off the strike against what unions said were the “antiworker and anti-people” policies of Narendra Modi’s government.

State banks and power stations were shut, and public transport was halted in some states on September 02, some 4,200 buses sat idle in Haryana. Surgeries were delayed at a major hospital in the capital while nurses demonstrated outside.

Among the trade unions’ 12 demands were a 692-rupee daily minimum wage; universal social security; and a ban on foreign investment in the country’s railway, insurance and defence industries.

A nationwide strike reportedly involved 150 million workers, while the Indian chambers of commerce said the strike cost the country’s economy 180bn rupees.

Modi won power in 2014, promising to replicate across India the double-digit economic growth he oversaw as Gujarat’s chief minister. He steered a landmark national goods and services tax through India’s parliament last month, and has

opened up sectors such as defence and aviation for foreign investment. The government has raised more than 564bn rupees by selling shares in state-owned industries, but pulled back from full privatisation and left labour market reform largely to the states.

The fourth all-India strike since 2009 was to remind the government of the cost of moving forward with its liberalisation programme.

Prof Jayati Ghosh, a development economist at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, said Modi’s changes had built on a 25-year neoliberal reform agenda that had left workers across the country worse off. “Less than 4% of workers in India come under labour protection, and even those protections have become more and more eroded. There’s a general sense that, instead of targeting poverty, they are targeting the poor; and there has been a real running down of spending on essential public services,” she said. She said health workers in some states had not been paid in months, food subsidy and distribution schemes were being neglected, and “private employers who wish to discourage any kind of unionisation are being actively encouraged by the central government”.

place, largely ignored in the U.S. media: a coup d’etat against Brazil’s democratically elected president, Dilma Rousseff. Brazil is the fifth-most populous country in the world, with one of its largest economies. Like many Latin American nations, it suffered under a military dictatorship for decades, emerging as a young democracy only 30 years ago. This week’s coup was not carried out by the military, but by the Brazilian Senate. The effect is essentially the same: the president has been impeached, and an unpopular political opponent, Michel Temer, who represents that country’s wealthy elites, has assumed the presidency.

In 1964, the Brazilian military staged a coup against another democratically elected president. After the coup, Dilma Rousseff, as a young woman, joined an armed guerrilla group to fight against the military dictatorship. She was arrested in 1970, and repeatedly tortured during her more than two years of imprisonment.

After her release, she remained politically active but outside the armed resistance movement. The dictatorship met its eventual demise in 1985 with the return of an elected government.

Years later, in 2014, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, on a visit to Brazil to attend the World Cup soccer tournament, hand-delivered 43 U.S. Government documents that detailed the depth of U.S. knowledge of the military dictatorship’s widespread COMBAT

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as president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as “Lula,” a member of the leftist Workers’ Party. He served two terms, and was replaced by his preferred successor, the first woman president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff. The Workers’ Party under both presidents had implemented significant and effective social programs to help alleviate Brazil’s systemic poverty and inequality. It is this confluence of social-programme spending and a slowing economy that opened Dilma up to what has been described as a “parliamentary coup.”

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald is a keen observer of Brazilian politics. He lives in Rio de Janeiro. On the “Democracy Now!” news hour, Greenwald told us: “The formal charge against her that they’re using to justify impeachment in Portuguese is called pedaladas, which really means pedaling ... a budgetary manoeuvre where the government borrows money from a state bank and then delays repayment in order to make it appear that the government owes less money. So she’s essentially accused of using budgetary tricks to make the state of the government budget look better in order to win re-election — something that when you talk to Europeans or Americans, they react with befuddlement that something like that could justify the removal of a democratically elected president, given that that’s extremely common

Tens of millions of Indian workers strike in fight for higher wages

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INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL

Inside Saudi Arabia’s Yemen “War Rooms”, Saudi forces target civilians…

The aftermath of a coalition bombing in the early months of the war

By Annie Slemrod Allowed rare access to the Saudi military’s targeting cells, IRIN Middle East editor Annie Slemrod is presented with an anodyne operation that couldn’t be further from the horror on the ground in Yemen.

IRIN found a jarring disconnect between the cool calculations of the generals in Riyadh and the deaths of innocent civilians, women, and children on the ground. Throughout IRIN’s guided tour, Saudi military officials insisted they are scrupulous in their targeting, abide by the rules of war, and are constantly honing what they do to avoid civilian casualties.

UN numbers on civilian deaths were not to be trusted. We choose our targets very carefully. We scrutinise the target list… and we have a no target list – it is thousands – and we do avoid all these targets. Much of this decision-making happens inside an operations room that has a plaque in English and Arabic that reads “Joint Targeting Cell”. Despite its name, the choices about what to target don’t appear to be made here, only what not to hit.

There are topographic maps on one wall and more uniformed men in front of computers. A map of Yemen is projected on one side of a large screen. Coloured icons mark schools, hospitals, and known UN and NGO locations. Zooming into Sana’a, some labels were visible: a hospital, a Red Crescent location, and a college. The coordinates of these locations are shared by the groups themselves.

IRIN was shown a document from OCHA, the UN’s emergency aid coordiCOMBAT

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nation body. It listed the precise details of a planned aid convoy: driving times, exact coordinates, and photographs of vehicles.

A soldier explained how it works. If a static target is within 500 metres of a “no strike” location or a populated area, warplanes either won’t hit it or they’ll choose a less powerful weapon. This “targeting” cell was said to be in 24-hour coordination with pilots doing the actual bombing.

Self-investigation?

And when they do err, the Saudis said, they take full responsibility. This process is done by what’s called the Joint Incident Assessment Team. The JIAT, a group of appointed experts from the Gulf region, released a summary of eight investigations into claims of attacks that violated international law.

In one case, July 2015 airstrikes on residential compounds connected to a power plant, Human Rights Watch said, killed at least 65 civilians, including 10 children.

In other cases, including a marketplace bombing where Human Rights Watch and the UN reported between 97 and 107 civilian deaths and the JIAT found none, the investigations left the coalition in the clear. But internal investigation isn’t good enough, according to Human Rights Watch and other critics, who argue that the Saudis should release details about panel members and full reports on each incident. The UN has also called for independent investigations. Al-Ruwaili insisted there was no such need. The team is headed by a retired two-star air force general “who is not working for the government anymore,” he said. “He is in-

dependent.”

Back on the ground On the same day that IRIN visited the war’s Riyadh headquarters, the UN upped its estimate of the death toll in Yemen to 10,000. For months, official numbers had lingered around 6,000. Up until June of this year, Yemeni civilians accounted for 82 percent of the deaths and injuries from Saudi-led coalition airstrikes.

It’s not just the airstrikes that cause suffering. The war has driven Yemen from what was already a humanitarian crisis before the war to what is now more like a full-blown catastrophe. More than half of its 26 million people are considered food insecure, 2.8 million have been displaced from their homes, and the vital healthcare sector is almost non-existent.

Watchdog groups have accused the Saudi-led coalition of killing civilians and targeting civilian infrastructure. An early August report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights detailed hits on weddings, homes, markets, and civilian infrastructure. It also listed abuses by the Houthis and other parties to the conflict, which is no longer a fight between just two sides. Put simply, Yemen has become harder to ignore.

There was particular indignation recently when the UN, under the threat of Saudi Arabia pulling its funding from vital humanitarian programmes, suspended the coalition from a list of violators of children’s rights.

A fraying alliance Behind the sun-bleached high walls of the Ministry of Defence in Riyadh, where the General Staff Command is running the air campaign in Yemen, all appeared calm, on message, and, according to the officials, was running like clockwork.

But events on the ground told a very different story. Houthi shelling had just killed a three-year-old boy in the Saudi border city of Najran; there was “carnage” in the southern Yemeni city of Aden, thanks to a suicide bombing claimed by so-called Islamic State; and the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières had just announced it was pulling out of the north of Yemen after another of its facilities was hit.

Backed by a 10-state coalition, including all the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia

unleashed its first airstrikes on Yemen in late March 2015 after the internationally recognised president, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, had been placed under house arrest by Houthi rebels in the capital, Sana’a. When Saudi Arabia and its allies said they were intervening at the request of the “legitimate government of Yemen”, a term they still use, the United States and Britain, and most of the international community (save Iran) expressed support. The Sunni kingdom also portrays the Shia Houthis as a dangerous Iranian proxy and a threat to their shared border – al-Ruwaili mentioned the threat of “another Hezbollah”.

On the first day of airstrikes, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council said the action was “to defend Saudi Arabia’s border and protect Yemen’s legitimate government”. Although there’s been no change of policy from Washington or London, domestic pressure has been building steadily on both administrations, and there are signs that political and military alliances are beginning to fray as the civilian toll mounts.

The propaganda war But while unease with the war is palpable in foreign capitals, it was nowhere to be seen at Saudi HQ, where the line was strictly that this war is for, not against, the Yemeni people.

The majority of the Yemeni people look at our operation as one that is designed to help them, to stabilise Yemen, to have a prosperous Yemen that is ruled by the Yemenis – ruled by somebody they choose.

But while some Yemenis may be on side with the Saudi action, others clearly need a little persuading.

To that end, IRIN was shown leaflets in the operations room. The officials explained that they are dropped to bring locals onside, as are fliers warning civilians to stay away from specific military targets.

The propaganda material IRIN was shown is in simple to understand comicstrip form. In one two-panel strip, the first box shows a grinning man, traditional Yemeni dagger in his belt. In the background is a smiling girl with a backpack and another equally jubilant boy with a balloon. The text reads: “Before the Houthi militias’ coup.” In the second frame, the same man has stubble and a grim, toothy expression. His clothes are ragged, the dagger is gone, and the buildings that the children strode in front of are in flames. “After the Houthi militias’ coup,” it says.

PAGE FIVE

FITUG protests Government’s anti-working class measures The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is aware that not all election campaign promises can be fulfilled soon after a new government assumes office.

However, after some fourteen (14) months since the national election, the APNU/AFC Administration has not merely failed to honour the nice sounding promises it made, many of which are reflected in its Manifesto, but has actually reneged on issues impacting on the cost-of-living and wages of workers. The 2016 National Budget, one of the two presented to Parliament by the Coalition Administration, is incredulous. It envisaged increases for about 140 taxes, some hiked as much as 1,200 per cent.

The increased taxes nullify the modest wage rise given to workers. Pensioners have had their water and electricity subsidies withdrawn. Public servants and the nation’s teachers have waited and wilted as one of the ubiquitous ‘Commissions’ reflected upon what was already obvious. Delaying tactics in the guise of merit increases and differentiated salary adjustments are having deleterious effects on the nation’s working servants, who witnessed substantial up-front salary in-

creases for a select few.

The nation’s sugar workers’ morale is at an all-time low. Besides the tragedy of retrenchment and redundancy at Wales, the new GuySuCo’s “plans” and “strategies” for “turnarounds” and diversification are closely-guarded secrets, it seems.

Dialogue between sugar workers and their Unions with the Corporation is hardly taking place. Sugar workers have been bluntly refused any wage increases since 2015.

The capital city’s municipality – another newly elected APNU/AFC local “government” – is busy seeking to impose container taxes and parking meter fees, which will surely be to the detriment of the consumers, who undoubtedly will be made to bear the passed on fees and taxes.

FITUG wonders how the pursuit of such a course will bring about President Granger’s “good life for all”.

FITUG wishes to remind the Coalition that freedom and lofty values can never triumph when pockets are empty and stomachs are hungry. This growing reality shows that the “Good Life” remains a slogan, and is possibly just a campaign delusion.

17th WFTU Congress to be held in October

The 17th Congress of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) will be held from October 05 to 08, 2016 in Durban, South Africa. The Congress will discuss the issues and threats to the working class since the 16th Congress, which was held in Athens, Greece in 2011. The 17th Congress will analyze the current world situation and examine the progress of the WFTU; the successes and failures; the new tasks ahead in defending workers’ interests, trade union rights and freedoms, and dealing with the just concerns of all peoples and nations the world over.

GAWU President Cde Komal Chand, a member of the ogranisation’s Presidential Council, will be attending the Congress.

Earlier this year (2016), the WFTU disCOMBAT

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patched a letter of protest to the Minister of Agriculture, condemning the decision of the Government and GuySuCo to close Wales Estate. The letter, among other things, called on the Government to rescind the decision, and also expressed solidarity with the workers in their struggle as they call for the Estate to remain in operation.

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) was formed to bring together trade unions across the world in a single international trade union organization.

However, there was a split in this body with the creation of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in 1949 and the advent of the Cold War. The WFTU focuses on campaigning against imperialism, racism, poverty, environmental degradation, exploitation of workers under capitalism; and in defense of full employment, social security, health protection, and trade union rights.

The WFTU continues to devote much of its energy to organizing conferences, issuing statements, and producing educational materials. The WFTU’s affiliates represent 92 million workers from 126 countries.

GAWU denounces GuySuCo’s decision to deny paid-release for sugar workers attending 21st Congress

As has been the practice ever since the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was recognised in the sugar industry forty (40) years ago, whereby our Union would apply to the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) for the paid-release of those workers selected to attend our Congress as delegates, for the 21st Delegates’ Congress, the Union by letter dated July 07, 2016, sought a meeting with GuySuCo to discuss the release of workers to attend the Congress. That letter was not acknowledged by the Corporation. The Union, considering the time factor, dispatched another letter, dated August 09, 2016, with the names of those workers who would be attending the Congress and eligible for the customary assistance. The Corporation promptly responded by letter dated August 11, 2016 saying that it would not facilitate the paid-release of the delegates coming from the various estates, and would not assist in their transportation from the estate locations to the Congress venue. It was reported to the Union that the financial situation has restricted the Corporation from approving the release of the workers and assisting in transportation.

The GAWU Congress, held once every three (3) years, must be convened in order for the Union to remain a properly constituted trade union, an important legal requirement and a measure upholding the Corporation and Union relationship. In the circumstance, the Union is of the firm view that, as has been the practice, the Corporation should be fully supportive of the Union’s Congresses.

The GAWU is of the strong view also that GuySuCo’s present position is nothing but a form of union-busting and follows an anti-worker tendency. The paidrelease of workers in the Trade Union Movement by employers is a benefit that goes back many years, and was won through struggles.

The given excuse of affordability the Union takes with more than a pinch of salt. Graver financial circumstances confronted the Corporation in the 1980s and early 1990s when GuySuCo had difficul-

ties to supply its quota of sugar to the European Union (EU), but this did not restrict it from honouring this most important obligation to the workers and their Union.

As in the past, and presently as well, enterprises in the private and public sectors would release workers to attend their Union’s Congresses and Conferences. It is therefore incongruous of GuySuCo to adopt this anti-sugar worker and anti-GAWU stance. Indeed it seems that sugar workers and GAWU are identified for discriminatory and strong-arm treatment. Such treatment is an ominous sign. and does not augur well for the industry.

GuySuCo cannot convincingly justify the withholding of the customary support to delegates attending the Union’s Congress. GuySuCo’s action is vexing and is reflective of another form of employer’s pressure against its employees – in this specific case, delegates to the GAWU’s Congress.

Our Union maintains that GuySuCo has an obligation to meet reasonable requests with respect to workers’ welfare matters.

Our Congress. as is widely known. will collectively discuss issues of concern to the industry, to the workers. and to the nation as a whole. Enlightened employers and caring governments would. as a rule. encourage such hallmark activities in an industry and a country’s life. It is a democratic right and a value to be promoted.

Therefore, the disrespectful treatment of GuySuCo to the Union’s Congress and its failure to honour longstanding obligations which even existed since in colonial times must be roundly condemned.

GAWU intends to pursue this matter and widely with firmness. It is becoming clearer with these anti-workers actions that the authorities have sugar workers in their sight. Undermining of our fragile democracy is now creeping into the Trade Union movement.

We are unable to figure out what really is the rationale behind GuySuCo’s refusal, its unilateral change of a benefit to workers at this this. However, we can certainly say that Industrial Relations today are facing real threats in the sugar industry and in other locations too. We reiterate our condemnation of this travesty.

PAGE SIX

GuySuCo forcibly transferring LBI field workers to Enmore Estate

Wales workers picket President’s office call on Government to rescind closure decision

LBI workers picketing the Ministry of the Presidency on August 16, 2016

The approximate 350-person workforce attached to the LBI cultivation is being compelled by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to work at Enmore Estate. The workers are strongly opposed to the Corporation’s decision and have argued quite correctly that the 2700-hectare LBI cultivation remains intact thus their jobs have not become redundant, unlike the LBI operations namely:- the Field Workshop, Mill Dock, Field Lab, Stores, and Administrative Offices which were closed at the end of July, 2016.

To draw attention to their plight, the workers staged a number of picketing exercises outside of the GuySuCo head office, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Presidency. During the picketing outside of Ministry of the Presidency, on August 16, 2016, the workers sent a letter to President David Granger requesting a meeting with him; however, they did not receive any response.

The Corporation, on August 29, 2016, met with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the shop stewards to discuss the transfer and problems encountered by the workers. At the meeting, the Union requested that the Corporation abandon its deci-

sion taking into account that the workers’ jobs are not redundant. Notwithstanding the Union’s convincing arguments, GuySuCo remained unmoved and maintained that the workers are transferred. In the meantime, the workers are working ‘under protest’ at Enmore Estate, and are considering options on the way forward.

Sugar workers have, in recent months, been seeing an erosion of their gains and benefits, which were secured by workers after many hard and bitter struggles. In recent months, the workers have been denied a pay rise and Collective Bargaining; their API award was significantly minimized last year; their attendance at union-sponsored training courses curtailed, and certain practices denied, among other things. Alongside the rollbacks, the GuySuCo is replacing dialogue and co-operation among the stakeholders with hand-handedness and roughshod displays. Such actions are clearly not helpful to the industry, especially given its challenges, and certainly will not lend to a motivated and driven workforce. The GAWU urges the Corporation to carefully consider its actions and the repercussions they could have.

Continued from page seven Indeed, based on the Corporation’s projections and demeanor at the meeting, the future for workers does not appear to be promising. This can very well further demoralize and demotivate the workforce, including the Senior Staffers, further complicating the industry’s challenges. Importantly, at this time, the industry requires a knowledgeable management, a motivated workforce and financial support for a limited period.

These are important elements in the industry’s on-going drive to overcome its

difficulties achieve its projected production level and to play a more meaningful role in our nation.

Our Unions recall that in past eras the industry was able to overcome its travails.

On this score, Dr James Rose’s presentation at the GAWU 21st Congress comes to mind. He pointed out that unorthodox, strategic and creative thinking rescued the industry in the past. Certainly such an approach is required again through the collective approach of all stakeholders.

GuySuCo interaction disappoints...

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Wales workers picketing the Ministry of the Presidency on August 09, 2016

Workers from Wales Estate, together with officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), on August 09, 2016 took part in a picketing exercise outside of the Ministry of the Presidency, denouncing the decision of the Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to close the Estate, and calling for reversal of that decision.

The GAWU wishes to emphasize that this decision is a step in the wrong direction, and will result certainly in great hardship to thousands of people and a negative impact on the economy. It is to be regretted that such a decision was taken without any assessment made of the consequences to employment, or for the availability or for the possibilities of new jobs in the communities, or the worsening social conditions the closure will give to us. The closure, GAWU contends, will also affect scores of cane farmers, who would be unable to afford the additional costs to transport their canes the long distance to Uitvlugt.

Though, GuySuCo is advising that the affected workers would largely be absorbed by Uitvlugt Estate, this is simply not possible, taking into account that Estate’s present workforce and efforts to increase mechanization at that location.

Moreover, many workers, faced with the new work scenario, would demand their severance pay as they would not opt to go to Uitvlugt Estate when account is taken of the long distance between the two (2) locations, including taking up work many miles in the back dam of Uitvlugt.

At this time, we must point out that the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act allows for workers to receive their Severance Pay should they refuse to take up any offer at Uitvlugt Estate.

The workers are also concerned about the ‘diversification’ ventures that would take place at Wales should the Estate be closed. It is recalled that many of the ventures being presently touted by GuySuCo were previously implemented and failed miserably. Moreover, these new ventures for which the cash-strapped industry would be hard pressed to finance, we believe, would not provide a similar number of compensatory jobs, as is facilitated by the Estate’s current operations.

Should the decision be proceeded with, the Government would be required to provide the severance payment to the Wales workers, estimated at about $900 million, as well as financing the construction of an earthen road to facilitate farmers transporting their canes to Uitvlugt Estate, which the Union understands would cost around $2 billion. These huge sums would be more than sufficient to place Wales Estate on a sound and viable path.

Our Union insists that to close Wales Estate is a wrong and short-sighted step.

The decision was clearly taken hastily, something President Granger promised not to do, according to the November 01, 2015 Guyana Chronicle. The Government must now act wisely, sensibly, and with dispatch, and reverse its decision, for the consequences are too dire.

PAGE SEVEN

FITUG-TUC protest GuySuCo’s discrimination “...the trampling and disregard of the important principle must be roundly condemned”

LEFT: GTUC General Secretary Cde Lincoln Lewis, and RIGHT: FITUG General Secretary, Cde Kenneth Joseph

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) issue this joint statement of protest and condemnation over what is clearly a discriminatory stance by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) regarding the recently concluded 21st Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

A tradition existing for decades and recognized as an aspect of workers’ welfare and a right won by trade unions, GuySuCo decided to disrespect in denying the worker-delegates to the GAWU Congress paid-release and transportation. In previous Congresses, the requisite number of workers who are members of GAWU and were formally selected as Congress Delegates would receive paid-release for the duration of the Union’s Congress and assistance with transportation to the Congress venue.

We are also aware that this time-honoured tradition and right, won in struggles by workers and trade unions, has no national boundary. It is a significant gain of the world’s working-class, and therefore the trampling and disregard of the important principle must be roundly condemned. FITUG-TUC, therefore, regards GuySuCo’s approach vexatious, unhelpful to good industrial relations, and contemptuous of the institution of Trade Unionism, as well as of its own employees’ welfare.

FITUG-TUC refers to the salient points from the GAWU release of August 20, 2016 on the specific issue, which stated: (1) “the GAWU Congress, held once every three (3) years, must be convened in order for the Union to remain a properly COMBAT

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constituted trade union, an important legal requirement” which also impacts on the continuous Union/Corporation relationship; (2) “GAWU, therefore, is of the firm view that, as has been the practice [for decades] GuySuCo should have been fully supportive of the Union’s Congress”; (3) “the given excuse of affordability”, GAWU has to take with a large dose of salt, for graver financial difficulties faced the Corporation in the 1980s and early 1990s, yet full co-operation in terms of honouring the time-bound obligation was never restricted, as was manifested on this occasion.

The portents of this GuySuCo decision are ominous indeed. No trade union should ignore this developing issue. To FITUG-TUC, what GuySuCo has done is tantamount to union-busting, a veritable attack on a bargaining agent to remain constitutional and functional.

As GAWU itself ponders the real reason behind these vital withdrawals of cooperation, we of FITUG-TUC offer fully solidarity to our affiliate, to our colleague trade unionists and to the discriminated workers.

We additionally, unequivocally support the sentiments contained in the Union’s release on the Corporation’s back-tracking: “Enlightened employers and caring governments would, as a rule, encourage such hallmark activities in an industry and a country’s life. It is a democratic right and a value to be promoted.”

We, FITUG-TUC, now having been alerted by this travesty, are duty-bound to ensure that such undermining of trade union democracy does not continue nor affect the Trade Union Movement.

GAWU and Wales workers not informed about rice cultivation at Wales The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was indeed surprised to learn, through a newspaper advertisement, that the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) was seeking to pursue rice cultivation at Wales Estate.

We do recall GuySuCo and Government officials, primarily in media reports, advising that studies concerning rice, citrus crops, aquaculture and dairy production were being considered. Apparently, the study with respect to rice must have been completed.

On January 20 this year, when the Corporation officially communicated to the Union its decision to close Wales Estate, it advised that new ventures would be established at Wales Estate and the Union would be accordingly apprised. In spite of that commitment, GuySuCo did not even inform our Union or the workers about its plans, much less share its ideas and intentions and solicit GAWU’s contribution. Shunning the workers and the Union represents another blunder by the top management of the Corporation and its advisors. Assuming there is a report from a study of growing rice at Wales, it is being treated as highly confidential at this time. The least we expect from GuySuCo’s hierarchy is to provide the relevant essential information to its employees.

The Union, and surely the general public, would like to also know of this project

and to be able to determine whether or not this is yet another instance of GuySuCo being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Over two (2) decades ago, the Corporation hastily implemented an ‘Other Crops Division; of which rice cultivation was featured. That investment was costly and it was later abandoned after it was deemed unsustainable and unprofitable.

It is also worrying that GuySuCo’s foray into rice, at this time when world market prices are uneconomical, may very well have been ill-considered. Moreover, it is not to be overlooked that contemporary rice cultivation is largely mechanized, and thus such a project will only absorb a small fraction of those displaced sugar workers of Wales Estate who may wish to seek re-employment.

Our Union maintains the view that the challenges of Wales Estate can be overcome through a knowledgeable management, a motivated work force, and adequate financial support for a limited period. The projects mooted may lose some economic value in the regional order of things, but we are not convinced that they represent the solution to Wales Estate, or an adequate, fully-considered alternative to closure and the serious consequences to workers and farmers that will ensue.

Continued from page one They rightly pointed out that delegates from the Union’s thirteen (13) other bargaining units in the private and state sectors were granted delegates’ paid release to attend the Congress, and state-owned GuySuCo needed to follow suit.

benefit extends beyond national boundaries, and represents a cherished value of the international working-class; thus they roundly condemned GuySuCo’s disregard of and trampling on this right.

21st Delegates’ Congress – success amidst threats

Added to the workers’ voices were those of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which issued a joint statement condemning GuySuCo’s decision. The two (2) workers’ umbrella organisations noted that the release of workers to attend their Union’s Congresses or Conferences has been in vogue for many decades now.

FITUG/GTUC also pointed out that the

Coming out of the Congress, the GAWU and its members emerged stronger and more united to confront the challenges which lie in our path. Workers have vowed to militantly defend their rights and benefits, and to safeguard their organization against seeming threats from certain forces to undermine and weaken it. From all accounts, the GAWU 21st Delegates’ Congress was a success, despite the challenges and obstacles put in its way.

“Capitalist barbarism, crisis and Imperialist wars,

or socialism” PAGE EIGHT

21

st DELEGATES’

The 21st Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), held at Bath, West Coast Berbice, concluded on a high note on August 23, 2016. Delegates were clearly reinvigorated, and the clear consensus was a recommitment to militantly defend their gains, conditions and benefits, many of which have been under threat in recent times. The Congress, held under the theme “United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”, was attended by some 500 delegates from the Union’s fourteen (14) bargaining units over the three days of August 20, 22 and 23.

The Congress was declared open by former Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr James Rose, on August 20, 2016. In his address, he pointed to the current challenges faced by workers arising from the global economic and financial crises and the increasing poverty situation in the world. He also noted that the sugar industry in Guyana, over its long history, experienced many challenges; however, through creative thinking, the industry managed to cope and overcome many obstacles. He stressed that a similar approach is needed today, and urged that all stakeholders work together.

GAWU President Cde Komal Chand, who also addressed the Opening Session, expressed optimism that the industry could be turned around and placed on a sustainable footing through certain diversification initiatives. He pointed out that the sugar workers were the industry’s most important asset, and lamented the uncaring approach taken by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) in recent times. He called on GuySuCo, and more particularly the Interim Management Committee (IMC), to end its hostilCOMBAT

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CONGRESS

ity towards the workers and their Union.

Twenty-three (23) members of the Union, who provided dedicated and unstinted support and played a role in advancing and developing GAWU over the years, were also appropriately honoured at the Opening Session. A plaque reading “In recognition of selfless and dedicated service to GAWU and for championing the workers’ cause” was given to each awardee.

The Business Sessions were held on August 22 and 23, 2016, and the report of the General Council, presented by the Union’s General Secretary, Cde Seepaul Narine, was received. The report covered forty-four (44) areas, including certain happenings internationally; the state of affairs locally; the current situation within the sugar industry; the Union’s work with respect to its non-sugar bargaining units, as well as the state of the Trade Union Movement locally, among other things.

Following the two (2)-hour presentation, those present engaged in discussing the report. There were many interventions, and the delegates were unequivocal in their stance that no estate should be closed, as they pointed to the harsh consequences of such decisions; and thus were very strong in their condemnation of the decision to close Wales and other estates, and expressed their solidarity and support for the workers who would be affected.

Delegates also condemned GuySuCo for its attack on workers’ rights and benefits, which they vowed to safeguard. They were especially dismayed by the decision of the Corporation not to grant paid release and assist in transportation for sugar workers attending the Congress, and this they emphasized was discriminatory.

UNITED STRUGGLES FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY & A SECURE FUTURE August 20, 22 & 23, 2016

Some workers reported that intimidating tactics were also employed by some GuySuCo personnel to prevent workers from attending the Congress. These efforts to undermine the Union’s highest decisionmaking forum were roundly condemned.

The workers also stressed the need for unity among all workers in the bargaining units of the Union and workers in Guyana generally, since only through their togetherness and working-class unity would they be able to overcome their various challenges.

The Congress also received a number of messages of solidarity from organisations locally and overseas, including the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU); the All-China Trade Union Federation (ACFTU); and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF). Also attending the Congress was Comrade Delrose Holgate, Assistant General Secretary of the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) of Jamaica.

The Congress unanimously approved nine (9) resolutions which addressed safeguarding and defending workers’ gains in the sugar industry; rejecting re-privatisation and closure of the sugar industry; on education and training; unity of the working class; the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); wage/salary improvements and Annual Production Incentive (API); in solidarity with the workers of Wales Estate; on the public health situation; and in solidarity with all working oppressed peoples and for world peace. The resolutions will now be sent to different agencies and bodies for their attention. There were also six (6) workshops which discussed a number of matters of concern to workers. The recom-

mendations from these workshops will be followed up by the Union.

Delegates also elected a fifty-two (52)-member General Council which is charged with managing the affairs of the Union until its next Congress - 22nd Delegates’ Congress. Members of the General Council, at their first meeting, will elect the officials of the Union, in keeping with the Union’s Constitution.

The Congress concluded with a Charge given by the Union’s President, Cde Komal Chand. He took into account the massive challenges which confront the workers and the Union at this time, and the threats which exist in the sugar industry; and he called on all workers to stand up to defend their rights. He echoed the need for unity among workers at this time, and for the Union’s Organisational structure to be more effective and strong.

He spoke to the need for support and cooperation to rebuild the important sugar industry, and in so doing it would be possible to resist strongly any act to re-privatize it. He called for workers to continue to defend their gains, and stressed the importance of their unity in these times.

In this respect, he emphasized that the members must be wary of those who are misguiding them and seeking division of our ranks. He also stressed the need for union members to make full use of the Union’s educational programme, and for them to be more committed to the Union as it pursues and grapples with the various challenges faced by members.

Notwithstanding the attempts to undermine and disrupt the Union’s 21st Congress, from all indications, it was a genuine workers’ forum which concluded successfully.

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st DELEGATES’ CONGRESS

From the All Trinidad General Workers’ From the Grenada Technical and Trade Union Allied Workers’ Union “We are cognisant of the fact that your 21st Delegates’ Congress is an important and significant event in the life and history of your Union, since it is an occasion which provides the Union and its members with the unique opportunity to reflect and recognise the efforts and achievements of the Union, and to continue to build on those achievements for the successful advancement and benefit of the Union and all its members.

The theme of your 21st Delegates’ Congress, “United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”, is most appropiate at this time, since the economic future of the working class depends to a large extent on the quality of representation, which will consequently determine the strength and calibre of our society. The current status and future of the sugar industry in Guyana is at a very important crossroad, and it is imperative that the working class and the respective stakeholders within the society unify to ensure that the industry survives the onslaught and ensure that there is a sugar industry in Guyana beyond 2016.”

From the All India Trade Union Congress “We acknowledge the role and contribution of GAWU, established in 1961, being the largest trade union in Guyana ,with the largest number being amongst sugar workers employed by the country’s largest state-owned industry, apart from the membership amongst workers in Seafood Processing, Forestry, Rice Processing, Distilleries, etc.

We are aware that your Union is taking a leading role in fierce struggles to protect jobs primarily in the sugar industry and opposing the efforts of the Government to close down units. We express solidarity in your struggle for job security as well as for wage/salary increases, which we learnt that, for the first time in over three decades, this was denied to sugar workers last year. The struggle for defending Collective Bargaining is extremely important. Its violation by employers/ governments is a violation of ILO Convention 151 also. We appreciate your hard efforts for protecting unions and the interest of the work force in your country.

It is a fact that Goverments in various countries are adopting the policies under the pressure of international finance capital and mutinational corporations, resulting in closures, wage freezes, contractualisation, casualisation, outsourcing, etc impacting secured jobs and the welfare benefits negatively. We are also facing similar situations in our country, and are fighting againse these policies independently and unitedly with other trade unions.”

No! To re-privatisation of the sugar industry – put people before profits COMBAT

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“This is a period more than ever when we in the labour movement must work ever closer together to face the global challenges. This is a period when the labour movement must bring all its resources together. For us to survive and better represent the workers, we must begin to amalgamate and consolidate the workers’ movement. It is indeed ironic that while global capital is merging and crafting a condensed monopoly, our movement is still fractured, splintered, and losing membership as income disparity widens; the right becomes more wealthy and concentrate state power into the hands of a few.”

“In Guyana, the sugar workers - the engine of Guyana’s development and wealth - are now being marginalised by the State. The Wales workers, LBI and Enmore Estate workers, are being pushed into destitution by the State, and GAWU is under sustained attack. But only a united force of the working class can be victorious in this battle for survival and human dignity. Unity of our movement is thus an imperative.”

“You, in the GAWU, have steadfastly demonstated your committment to the cause of the working people. You have continuously demonstrated your willingness to confront the employer class and Government in the fight for workers’ rights and advancement. We in the GTAWU are confident that your 21st Delegates’ Congress will discuss the present challenges while learning from the past and charge the way forward for the Union and working people of Guyana; hence the importance of your theme “United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”.”

From the World Federation of Trade Unions “We wish your 21st Congress every success. We are sure that your Congress will be one more step to achieve your goals for the benefit of the working class of Guyana.

In times of international capitalist crises; in times of intensified onslaught against the labour and trade union rights; in times when the imperialist contradictions become more intensified, with wars and conflicts being in the daily agenda, it is high time for workers’ struggle to become stronger, more determined, and better coordinated at regional, branch and international levels.

This can be achieved only if the workers and their trade unions internationally fight next to one another as brothers, as comrades, on equal basis, with class-orientation, with class determination, by defeating the forces of reformism and class-collaboration.

This year, on 5-8 October 2016, the international class-oriented trade union movement will meet in Durban, South Africa at the 17th World Trade Union Congress to discuss, to analyze, and to determine its strategy for the next five years of the WFTU action.

In this context, the WFTU, representing more than 92 million workers in every country of the world, salute your 21st Congress and are certain that you will discuss in open, democratic and fraternal spirit to take decisions about all the issues concerning the severe workers’ problems and the need to organize and fight in social alliance for all the basic and contemporary needs of the working class.”

PAGE ELEVEN

SOLIDARITY MESSAGES From the All-China Trade Union Federation “As the largest trade union in Guyana, the GAWU has devoted itself to protecting the rights of the working people in Guyana, including workers in the sugar industry, the largest industry in Guyana, and has played an important role in the Guyanese society since its foundation in 1961.”

“We believe that with the successful convening of this Congress and with your commitment to fighting for the rights of the workers, the GAWU will be able to make new headways.

And we hope that the friendship between the AFCTU and GAWU will be further strengthened in the future.”

From the Barbados Workers’ Union

“The struggles are present everywhere and are about everything. The trade union movement is just as busy fighting for new benefits and new rights as it is fighting to ensure that hard-earned gains already in place are not removed entirely.

Health education and workers’ pensions, to highlight a few, are now under threat of being rolled back to pre-Independence levels.

No matter how hard the struggle, surrender is not an option.

If the labour movement fails to struggle on, all will be lost.

That must not happen. Labour must continue to build a movement which is sustainable and relevant to all workers - past, present and future.

Your theme captures the imperative of the time. In order for there to be a secure future for our children, our unions and our countries, there must be a determined and united fight for democracy, which will ensure that the labour movement has an equal voice in the determination of the future. Fifty years of struggle in an independent Guyana must not be reduced to having the blood, sweat and tears of those who fought, and in some instances gave their lives to the struggle, be in vain.”

From the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union “The selected theme for your celebration, “United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”, is quite appropiate as Unions regionally and beyond continue to face severe challenges in securing better working conditions for our members and the general population. It is through these struggles that the voice of workers is heard and the true sense of democracy of the people, from the people, and by the people, is achieved.

We are aware of the ongoing challenges within the Guyanese sugar industry and the adverse effects flowing from the closure of sugar estates on employees, their families and the economy. We encourage the GAWU to continue to defend and protect the interests of the affected workers, and rememeber that with perseverance, the greater the obstacle, the greater the glory in overcoming it.

It is through this medium that we call on GuySuCo Inc and the Government agency responsible for labour to respect the rights of the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement and the ILO Convention #151. We encourage the parties to engage in collective bargaining with GAWU in the interest of good industrial relations.”

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From the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

FITUG

“The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is both duty-bound and proud to salute the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) – our Federation’s largest affiliate – on the occasion of what promises to be a most historic 21st Delegates’ Congress.

Congresses are usually the highest decision-making fora of an organization. These conventions are used to summarize the entity’s status, development, effectiveness and objectives; and propose policies and strategies to strengthen the institution.

GAWU represents a most comprehensive spectrum of Guyana’s labour market. Its members work in vital sectors of the national economy – agriculture, seafood production, logging, beverage production, and the Berbice Bridge, among others. Thousands of workers, GAWU’s members, must therefore be overwhelmingly interested in your Congress, which is being convened today and continues for two (2) other days.

FITUG has perused the recent mid-July, 2016 public statement from the Union regarding its Congress, and has determined that the event will be both historic and potentially transformational. As is traditional, membership fraternity will again be manifested by the hundreds who are attending the Congress. The Union has also revealed that its 21st Congress is poised to cover a wide range of issues, including assessing certain international events; the developments locally since the last Congress; the present-day work and needs, challenges, and the general state of the Trade Union Movement.

Such an agenda underscores the maturity and high level of consciousness of the Union’s leadership and membership. FITUG also embraces the concerns of GAWU as it grapples with the stated “uncertainties” which now surround the present and the future of the sugar industry. GAWU’s stance and contributions in this regard are pivotal to uplifting the sugar sector’s workforce, whose members are justifiably demoralized at this time.

FITUG shares the ongoing concerns in the latter regard as, to date, no definitive forward strategic plan has been announced either by Government or GuySuCo to provide succor to the troubles of sugar workers from Skeldon to Enmore/LBI, Wales or Uitvlugt. It was easy to criticize in the past but seemingly difficult to provide for thousands of workers now wondering what future there is for them and the vital sugar industry.

The Congress’s theme is itself specific in its intent: “United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”. At times and occasions like these, FITUG feels it is a duty to promote trade union unity in deeds more than in words. Local trade union activity seems under threat. Justice, rights and democracy for our Labour Movement mean the same for the nation. A comfortable, secure working-class is a necessary condition to be sure of a comfortable, development-oriented nation.

FITUG therefore concurs with GAWU that its decades-long unity and militancy are grounds for optimism for a successful, productive Congress.

Long live FITUG-GAWU partnership and solidarity!

Onwards to a successful 21st Delegates’ Congress of GAWU!”

Workers - let unity and struggles be our watch-words!

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st DELEGATES’

Allow me to join our Chairman in warmly welcoming you to our Union’s 21st Delegates’ Congress. I am especially pleased to welcome former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, who is present here. I also wish to acknowledge and extend a special welcome to the distinguished invitees, several of whom are representing friendly and fraternal organisations. Participating in our Congress, too, is a representative of the University and Allied Workers Union (UAAW) of Jamaica to whom we give a sincere welcoming embrace. And to our guest speaker, Dr James Rose, I take this opportunity to express our appreciation for your ready acceptance of our invitation to deliver the feature address to Congress, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Comrades, four (4) years ago, you will recall, we met at this very location for our 20th Congress. We had spirited discussions then, and the decisions taken and the resolutions passed, I should point out, were acted upon by the GAWU General Council. We concluded on an optimistic note. The years separating our two Congresses, however, have been very eventful, and our optimism has been dampened. Our Union and the working-class must now contend with different conditions. New challenges have appeared even while old problems still persist; the indications are alerting us to trying times ahead, but as we have shown in the past, I am confident now: that GAWU and the workers will prevail.

The theme of our Congress, “United COMBAT

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CONGRESS

Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”, captures adequately the tasks before us in the conditions of today. We should take note that, in recent times, we have seen the erosion of several hard-won workers’ rights and benefits; numerous workers from the private and public sectors have been set adrift; unfair employment practices prevail; and there are miserly increases in workers’ wages, among other things.

And importantly, with the progressive and exploited working class of the world, we, of GAWU, share the strong bonds of Proletarian Internationalism. In our day, international solidarity is an indispensable weapon in workers’ hands in their overall struggles, not excluding struggles for democracy and for socio-economic change. Indeed, in our contemporary tension-filled world, solidarity is growing in significance.

From all accounts, employees of the sugar industry seem to be receiving the brunt of the pressures directed at the workingclass. To be sure, though, the unsympathetic approach to sugar workers threatens other sectors of the working-class, and the denial of Collective Bargaining to GAWU hangs like the Sword of Damocles over the entire Trade Union Movement.

These developments of our day demand our militant responses, and must not result in complacency or dulled workers’ fighting spirit. As our theme suggests, we have a future to secure.

As we focus rightly on the specific issues of concern to us, we must also pay attention to developments the world over, realizing that, directly or indirectly, they impact our lives, our country’s development, and mankind’s future.

International Situation Comrades, while we must get ready to stoutly defend our interests and rights, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a contingent of the international working class. Workers of most other countries are also saddled with austerity measures imposed on them by their ruling elites. Hardship, low wages, cuts in services and pensions, and discriminatory practices generally are their lot too. We understand the plight of the workers of the world, as they would appreciate ours.

An on-going concern of our epoch is that of war and peace. The realization that some military conflicts have now entered their fifteenth year troubles the conscience. Others are of less duration, but all have horrifying consequences.

They result in war crimes - even genocide; torture, assassinations by drones, growth of terroristic acts, loss of lives of hundreds of thousands, and so on. Disturbingly, these unjust military actions spring from developed countries whose representatives never fail to tell us about democracy, ‘humanitarian’ causes, and human rights.

The situation is now dire: a dangerous new Cold War has begun, and we are told that World War III, which can very well be a nuclear war, threatens all humanity.

Whilst war is of foremost concern, we must not ignore the questions of pov-

erty, violent destabilisation of countries, the reactionary role of so-called ‘colour revolutions’, and the problems of climate change. The latest report from the climate scientists tells us that July has been the hottest month in recorded history – a very disconcerting revelation.

Given such realities, we are duty bound to take a stand and let our voices be heard on these and other matters. Let us, comrades, join with our class brothers and sisters and those other progressive forces who are in the frontlines confronting the reactionary forces and their agents for peace, for democracy, for social justice, for independent development, and for social progress.

Local Situation Comrades, when we last met, we identified those gains and advancements our people and country have made over the last two (2) decades in various sectors of our society. Today we meet at a time when our domestic situation has grown bleak. Pressures on our working people are mounting. Increases of scores of taxes and spending sprees seem to be the new order. The circumstances of today suggest that we seriously assess the course we are on, where it is leading us, and the impact of key policies on the lives of our working-people and their future.

Let me take this opportunity to remind ourselves that we subscribe to the view that our resources must go to ensure and contribute to a secure, dignified, and full life of all of our people. In this regard, PAGE TWELVE

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

by Cde Komal Chand

special efforts at creating an untenable atmosphere in the industry.

There is also some revival of talk that the Corporation intends to pursue non-sugar ventures. Bandied about are concepts like ‘New GuySuCo’ and ‘One GuySuCo’.

If these notions are references to GuySuCo’s diversification intentions, then the Corporation should be reminded that this is certainly not new. It’s a regurgitation of the failed GuySuCo diversification programme of the mid-1980s. The ‘New GuySuCo’, we suspect and fear, would merely be a reflection of the failed past.

On this score, we suggest that the authorities may wish to consider some recommendations contained in the Report of the Sugar Commission of Inquiry, several of which we support and think are feasible. I need to repeat, too, that the Sugar Commission of Inquiry explicitly recommended that no Estate be closed. workers must play their part to bring about such policies and developments.

Let us struggle to ensure that our dreams and aspirations become realities.

Local Government Elections A noteworthy event since our 20th Congress is the holding of Local Government Elections, which were long overdue. It is of particular interest to us if only because it provides hundreds of workers, farmers, housewives, and others from all walks of life with opportunities to be involved in the administration and development of their communities.

From all reports, these elections were conducted without any major hiccup.

And as we applaud the holding of elections, we must also express displeasure at the hurdles that are faced by the local authorities, especially with respect to the release of funds to ensure the Councils serve the residents within their precincts.

Trade Union Unity At this time, I wish to call attention to developments which have the possibility of bringing the Trade Unions under one umbrella body. You would recall the joint May Day rally this year by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which is an important step towards a united body.

While this path may not be straight and trouble-free, we nevertheless see that a united trade union movement, committed to promoting the workers’ interests, is a worthy goal to pursue. This is a demand COMBAT

July 17 - Sept. 30, 2016

of our times.

Sugar Industry Comrades, the sugar industry has engaged our and the nation’s attention for some time now. This is to be expected, as it is undeniably and arguably our most important industry. It is also the nation’s single most significant source of employment. The industry also supports the rice and other agriculture sub-sectors in several areas, and helps to manage the anti-flood-control systems with its vast network of drainage and irrigation. If the multiplier effects are considered, the economic impact is extended directly and indirectly to commercial banks, insurers, suppliers and service providers. Thus, should the industry be minimized or gotten rid of, as is promoted and touted by some authoritative persons on grounds of its performance, the repercussions will be far-reaching and catastrophic.

While, indeed, the industry is at this time confronting challenges and setbacks, our Union is confident that with appropriate interventions, financial and otherwise, the industry can rise again.

We faced similar challenges before and the industry demonstrated its resilience.

Our Union’s confidence that the industry could again overcome its current travails remains unshaken.

Indeed, we believe the industry has a bright and sustainable future. Several feasible ideas have been considered which, if pursued, could well play a pivotal role in returning the industry to profitability

and positively impacting our economy and society as well.

GAWU is of the view that the situation requires special efforts at co-operation.

Thus we are perturbed by several stands taken in recent months by GuySuCo against the Union and the sugar workers, the industry’s most important asset. A most troubling development is the Corporation’s refusal to engage the Union in Collective Bargaining despite the legal obligations for such engagement. Simultaneously, we saw in 2015 the denial of a pay rise to sugar workers, and a rather disgraceful Annual Production Incentive payout; and further note that sugar workers were the only group of public employees to be exempted from the Government’s year-end bonus payment.

We are also perturbed by the blatant and unconscionable rollback of workers’ gains, won over years and in struggles.

Now we must struggle to protect these.

From the forum of our 21st Congress, I take this occasion to call on the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of GuySuCo to immediately end the high-handedness, unilateral decisions, and roughshod displays evident in recent months.

We see such attitudes manifested towards the workers of LBI and Enmore Estates who, with the Union, are seeking to engage in dialogue to reach an amicable and acceptable settlement regarding the respective situations there. In response, GuySuCo has shut the door to workers and the Union. GuySuCo’s behaviour is indeed strange. It seems that it is making

Conclusion Comrades, let us be mindful of the arduous path we have travelled, our successes, and the tasks ahead. Clearly, we still have many battles to fight. Today, in addition to the bread and butter issues, security and democracy issues have become foremost concerns. As workers, we need to be more assertive in demanding our rights.

We need to work with all, and particularly with our natural allies - the farmers; indeed, all progressive forces – to achieve the tasks and attain the goals we have set.

We must remain organised, militant, and united if we are to score victories and expand on our gains.

Today’s conditions, nationally and internationally, call for struggles. Let us join with the workers of the world to usher in a new day for mankind. In that noble effort, we, in Guyana too, must stand up and be counted. Our dream is for a world order which is founded on peace, ecological responsibility, social and economic justice, and is free of oppression and exploitation. Let us, comrades, strive for a society in which people, not profits, are of primary concern.

Held at this juncture of Guyana’s development, our 21st Congress has important work to do, especially to determine the way forward and to consider ways to strengthen our various structures.

Let our decisions serve to set us on a path of fresh victories for our workers represented by GAWU; indeed, for all workers. Forward to success! Long live GAWU! PAGE THIRTEEN

21

st DELEGATES’

It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to address you at this, your 21st Delegates Congress.

Let it be said that you are meeting at a very critical moment in our history.

We are, each of us, acutely aware of the impact of firstly global economic trends in the metropole on the quality of life in the periphery, but more particularly the policy of the current administration regarding the economic fortune of the sugar industry, employment security, and the general welfare of the thousands employed, in, or otherwise dependent on, the industry.

CONGRESS

ing workers’ rights, wage levels and conditions of work converge at their lowest levels. The consequences are conspicuous: the rich of all countries get richer, while the others (the 99%) live less and less well. There are those who argue with considerable cogency that we are dealing with an international class conflict, rather than a conflict between peoples or nations

Guyana, a small developing country with an open, very dependent economy and limited capacity for cushioning shocks generated externally, exists in a slowing global economy. In recent These realities, however uncom- months, there has been a steep defortable, are quite clear. What is now cline in commodity prices, and global manifest is that economies the world trade is now over that were previously admired growing in and envied are now revealing deep line with, or structural deficiencies and terminal at a lower rate fragility. than, global growth.

Commendation In its wake, Trade unions have, over the years, global unemdone much to enhance the work- ployment is ing life of workers. They have single- rising, reachhandedly transformed the manage- ing 197.1 milment culture of and in industry. lion in 2015; and will rise Organised labour has made, and by nearly 2.3 continues to make, significant contri- million this butions to the development of our so- year and by ciety. Through collective bargaining, a further 1.1 trade unions contribute to improving million in people’s living standards by ensuring 2017. At the they get a share of the wealth creat- same time, in ed through their labour. In this way, 2015, an estrade unions contribute to combating timated 327 poverty and advancing social and eco- million em- Dr James Rose nomic standards within our society. ployed people were living Trade unions here in Guyana, and in extreme poverty and 967 million across the world, deserve our unstint- in moderate or near poverty. Fured commendation for their bravery, ther declines in commodity prices dedication and commitment. Please are likely to worsen the condition of join me in saluting the Guyana Agri- the working people, especially the lacultural and General Workers Union bouring poor. for its exemplary stewardship over the years.

Looking closer at our region. Latin America and the Caribbean is one of Globalisation the world’s most accessible resource vaults. The extraction of resources Comrades, globalisation is re-en- and agricultural produce create comgineering a world that is becoming modities exchangeable for manufacincreasingly uniform but profoundly turers and services. Over time, the different. The new paradigm is mak- barter value of natural resources has COMBAT

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steadily declined, and more recently has experienced unprecedented volatility. The nations of the region find themselves in painful adjustment processes.

force, due to sugar from competitive sugar producing countries like Brazil displacing ACP sugar in the EU market. The overall implications are daunting, to say the very least.

ACP EU Common Agricultural Policy

The Colonial Legacy Sugar blossomed forth in the second half of the 17th century, and generated unparalleled wealth for all its several stakeholders. The British Imperial system, encouraged by the Sugar Lobby, expanded its geographical sphere of influence and, by the end of the 18th century, added India, Mauritius, Demerara-Essequibo and Berbice to its sphere. These new territories were encouraged to expand the cane sugar industry, the primary wealthgenerating economy at the time.

But there is an even more imminent and daunting precursor on the horizon. Developing countries from the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States (ACP), including Guyana, have benefited from the export of raw sugar to the EU market. Currently, the EU imports approximately 60 percent of its demand for cane sugar from the ACP countries under the duty-free, quota-free access which sugar from these countries have enjoyed entering the EU market. The main exporting product for the majority of these nations is raw solid cane sugar, to be further processed within the EU. The 2006 reforms of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will see the EU move from being a net importer to a net exporter of sugar.

This reform of the EU sugar regime could lead to a 4.2 percent increase in EU production of beet sugar, while imports of cane sugar are estimated to decline by 42.6 percent, mainly due to the replacement of imports from high-cost third countries, like the ACP countries. What is more, the current demand for sugar from ACP countries could decline significantly when the sugar reforms enter into

In the 1850s, there emerged the first serious challenge to the marketing arrangements of cane sugar, resulting in the Sugar Duties Act of 1856 which perversely coincided with the labour resource problem caused by the liberation of enslaved Africans. ‘Ruination’ threatened the industry. and it adopted a number of creative initiatives, including mechanization, amalgamation/centralization, scientific research and modern management techniques.

These were, of course, besides and in addition to subsidized labour importation and an iniquitous system of reverse taxation.

There followed a brief respite, but by the 1880s, the economy was speeding into another terminal recession, this time threatened by a European closed market system which heavily subsidised beet sugar production at the expense of cane sugar, and it was the 1904 Brussels Sugar Convention which not only rescued the industry but introduced a marketing arrangement that saw it survive into the modern era.

In the 1940s, another terminal interlude produced, in 1947, an Act to make provision for the establishment of a Sugar Industry Price Stabilisation Fund; a Sugar Industry Rehabilitation Fund; and a Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund. And the woeful tale continued on and on, as did the crePAGE FOURTEEN

FEATURE ADDRESS

by Dr James Rose

ative management responses which kept the industry alive.

Employment The true aim of development is not only to boost incomes, but also to maximize human choices by enhancing human rights, freedoms, capabilities and opportunities and by enabling people to lead long, healthy and creative lives.

As workers employed in the sugar industry, you played no part in the creation of the conditions, situations and policy mishaps that have created the current crisis, domestic or international. But those who are mainly responsible for the present meltdown have proven themselves conspicuously incapable of finding worker-friendly solutions that will restore economic growth, secure employment, and recapture some semblance of normalcy to the industry.

From an economic perspective, meaningful employment enables people to earn a livelihood and achieve economic security. But from a human development perspective, it also allows people to enhance their capabilities by providing them with acquired skills and knowledge.

Income from employment helps workers achieve a better standard of living, and allows them to have better access to health and education— critical ingredients to enhancing capabilities. meaningful employment also provides people with expanded opportunities and choices in their economic and social lives. It allows workers to participate fully in society, while affording them a sense of dignity and worth.

tioned to understand the current difficulties threatening the cane sugar economy and the livelihood of the thousands of people who are employed thereon. This is as it should be, for if ever there was a time when you are required to demonstrate resilience, resolve and collective will, that time is now. This is what you, on the front line of the industry and as the potential victims, need to exhibit if you are to successfully navigate this most challenging interlude.

It is not for me to produce the miracle cure - to offer or propose a strategy for the redemption of the industry, the security of your jobs, and general prosperity for all. There are no easy solutions. The real world is a harsh neighbourhood, and as you have seen, it is rapidly changing, less for the better and more for the worse. Nevertheless, properly and resolutely managed As workers, you harbour a legitimate and endowed with a will to be just, I desire for improved standards and am persuaded that together you can quality of life the likes of any devel- confront the challenges and reap the oped society. This is your collective benefits. To capture the potential Crises like the current state of the desire; this is therefore your collec- gains, it is necessary for all stakeholdcane sugar economy require unique tive responsibility. Your leaders are ers to work together. and unorthodox approaches and so- challenged to find new approaches lutions, and you must therefore be to move you closer to your ambitions In closing, a word for the trade unions in general and the TUC in particular: For too long you have sought the political kingdom, hoping that all other things would be added thereto.

This was a false hope in the 1970s and 1990s, and is a false hope today. Reconsider, Reorganise, Rededicate. In the 70s and 80s, we strongly believed that The longer the picket lines: the shorter the strike. Your strength and your integrity are assured in your unity.

and help your movement remain relevant in the face of an ever changing and challenging environment. This To mitigate the predicted decline of is a time to become partners, rather the sugar industry, we will have to be- than combatants. come more competitive through the modernization of sugar production At this unhappy juncture, there is a and consider the diversification of growing sense in Guyana of being at products produced from sugar cane the mercy of forces - both economthat can be more lucrative products, ic and criminal - that are “too big” including green products like cellu- or “too hot” for the Government to lose and lignin, ethanol from poly- handle. This may be a factor contribmers in the sugar cane, bio-plastic uting to the waning credibility of the Reorganisation and Repositioning and bio-fertilizers. recently elected government and the declining confidence in the political But there is little doubt that you, as So, comrades, as you re-commit to system. members of GAWU, are best posi- the vision of your founders, I urge you COMBAT

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open, receptive, and accommodating to creative problem solutions.

to reflect on whether - even as we lament the unthinking initiatives of the Government, for which there can be no excuse, some of the ways that you do business can be changed: the way you interact; the way you negotiate; and the role you play in the eventual resolution of the current predicament of the industry.

GAWU was established in the 1940s, and has survived the best and worst of times. That these are challenging times none may doubt, but all the indications suggest that you are still equipped to cope and ultimately to triumph over today’s adversity. I wish you the very best in the days and months ahead.

This Congress is charged with days of focused and productive deliberations, and again I wish you all the very best I wish you successful deliberation, meaningful decision-making, and resolute execution of the mandate of this Congress. So it gives me great pleasure to declare this, your 21st Congress, open.

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st DELEGATES’ CONGRESS

CONGRESS SCENES

COMBAT IS A PUBLICATION OF THE GUYANA AGRICULTURAL & GENERAL WORKERS UNION (GAWU) 59 HIGH STREET & WIGHTS LANE, KINGSTON, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA, S.A. TEL: 592-227-2091/2; 225-5321 , 223-6523 FAX: 592-227-2093 EMAIL: GAWU@BBGY.COM WEBSITE: WWW.GAWU.NET