GAWU Combat - March/April, 2019

Issue #2 Volume #40

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

Editorial

Promises

At this time, following the spilt decision of the Court of Appeal, the timing of National and Regional elections is not yet clear. The coming days will see arguments presented to the country’s highest court – the Caribbean Court of Justice – and, expectedly, a decision will be made as to whether the current electoral period will be truncated or not. With that being said, and given the uncertainty that currently grips the nation, the Administration, it appears, is taking no chances, and has begun in earnest its re-election campaign. Over the last few weeks, large fan-out exercises under the guise of “outreaches” have been held in several parts of the country.

Several persons have contended that the Government is using State resources and apparatus for engaging in campaigning, which was denied by Administration spokespersons. But then, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan, maybe inadvertently, said on a programme that was broadcast on the internet on March 23 that the Government officials, over the last few years, were much engaged with their duties and could not engage Guyanese as much as they wish, and that they would be more visible now-a-days, noting that elections time was fast approaching.

The outreach exercises have seen Ministers and other Government officials engaging Guyanese. Through those engagements, commitments are being made as the Ministers provide, seemingly, a listening ear.

While it is good to have the problems peoples face in their communities being resolved, it should not take a Minister, like a superhero, to bring them to resolution.

Rather, we would prefer - like many Guyanese, we are sure - that the systems and mechanisms established to address such difficulties actually work, which will see the Administration saving the millions that are seemingly being expended for transportation, meals, and other expenses to host the outreaches in the first place.

The media, which disturbingly has been excluded from some of these outreaches, especially those in the far-away areas, has reported that the Ministerial cadre has been using the opportunity to make commitments and promises to our people as a means of enticing their support. The nature and extent of these promises will undoubtedly come to the fore sooner rather than later, and would undoubtedly be contained in the Coalition’s elections manifesto. The manifesto, in our view, can be seen as the contract with the people of Guyana.

During our last elections, the Coalition’s manifesto made several commitments and undertakings, and as new promises are being made and old ones repeated, it is important at this time that we remind ourselves what was said and what really was done.

Continued on page two (2) COMBAT March/April, 2019

March/April, 2019

Sugar first crop commences - 4,200 tonnes behind schedule

Sugar production for 2019 has commenced, with the first sugar crop at this time progressing at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates. As at week ending April 20, 2019, according to the crop production estimate prepared by the GuySuCo, sugar production should have reached 23,997 tonnes. However, in reality, production actually stood at 20,356 tonnes sugar. Production at the respective estates is as follows:Production at at April 20, 2019 Estate Target Actual Difference Albion 13,965 12,160 (1,805) Blairmont 8,379 7,633 (746) Uitvlugt 5,763 4,197 (1,566) Total 28,107 23,990 (4,117) As we reported in the January/February, 2019 edition of Combat, the Corporation is seeking to produce 107,023 tonnes sugar this year – 33,863 tonnes in the first crop and 73,160 tonnes in the second crop. Should the Corporation’s expectation be realized, it would represent just a minor improvement over 2018 when the industry produced 104,629 tonnes of sugar.

In considering this year’s projected production target, the GAWU cannot ignore that the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, when he presented, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, the State Paper on the future of the sugar industry in May, 2017, outlined that the sugar industry by next year (2020) would have been producing 147,000 tonnes of sugar. The State Paper also said that, apart from an improvement in production, focus would be on the production of “…direct consumption,

value-added sugars, and providing electricity to the national grid (co-generation)”.

The GAWU, as it has said on many occasions, is supportive of such ventures, recognizing their value to the industry and aiding in its viability. That being said, it is disheartening for the Union to record that the industry’s lone co-generation plant at Skeldon Estate has been put up for divestment though it rakes in billions in revenue.

At the same time, the larger of the two (2) direct consumption sugar plants has been essentially shuttered since East Demerara Estate closed its doors at the end of 2017.

The Corporation, in an article appearing on its website just prior to the commencement of the 2018 second crop, reiterated much of what appeared in the State Paper and informed that “[n]ew Strategic and Business Plans from 2018-2020/2021 are being developed to detail the overall goals of GuySuCo for the next three years”. So far, the completion of these plans remains a mystery and seems to be only seen by a select few. GAWU had written the Corporation in the latter part of 2018 to have an engagement on that plan, only to learn that the ‘plan’ is not yet finalized.

The clock of 2019 continues to tick, and not-too-long from now, a third of the year would have elapsed. So far, it seems to us that not much is being done to realize the assurances of the Government, as outlined in the State Paper. In fact, it appears, much more attention and time is being devoted to settle quarrels and disagreement between GuySuCo and another state-owned enterprise Continued on page two (2) PAGE ONE

Promises

Continued from page one (1)

Our examination of the previous document reminds that the then candidate, now President David Granger, in his message, said he wanted “…a place for all citizens to prosper; [to] enjoy a goodlife… free from the ravages of poverty and discrimination, and from the scourge of criminal violence, epidemic disease …”.

His running mate, Moses Nagamootoo, for his part, said, “…[t]he aim of your new government is to create jobs, jobs and more jobs in the shortest time possible”, and he went on to say that the Coalition will “…cut out waste and extravagance… return to clean and lean government, strict accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption”. Certainly, they were lofty undertakings by the two most senior leaders of the Coalition.

The manifesto also told us that the APNU+AFC said it would “[m]anage the economy in such a way… so that the bulk of generated income and wealth accrues to the populace…”; it said it would approve “[s]ignificant salary increases for government workers…”, and it also told the workers it would “[i]ncrease personal income tax threshold to $100,000…”. The “…removal of VAT from food and other essential items” was promised too. In the sugar industry, the Coalition committed itself to “…analyze… the Guyana Sugar Industry, including options for infusing critical investments…”. The Coalition said it would “[e]nforce the Principles and Laws Governing Collective Bargaining…”.

Many of these commitments, among the possibly hundreds contained in the manifesto document, were amplified during the elections campaign. Many Guyanese have indicated that the now Government officials told them that, if they supported the Coalition, they would receive a 20 per cent pay hike. We recall Vice President Ramjattan, at a rally event at Whim, committing that the Government will in no way close the sugar industry.

The rice farmers, too, have heard that they would receive $9,000 per bag of their paddy should the APNU+AFC be elected. People were told they would pay lower VAT and less income taxes too.

These were the sentiments, in addition to others, that basically hoodwinked some Guyanese to back the Coalition.

But some have argued that it was a case of a “promise being a comfort to a fool” as very many of the commitments made have either been dashed or never acted upon. Despite the promise of significant

salary rises, it was the Government, days after its election, that approved for itself substantial increases in their pay and perks while public servants were given crumbs and the sugar workers were given none.

The notion of Collective Bargaining remains airy-fairy, with not even lip service being given to it, notwithstanding workers having a Constitutional right in this regard. Rather than reducing the tax burden, the opposite prevailed, and Guyanese today are having a hard time fetching the heavy tax burdens placed on their backs. Now-a-days, essential goods and services are being taxed, and previously untaxed goods are attracting taxes, with even medicines and health-care coming under the tax hammer. Concomitantly, the cost of Government services has been hiked significantly in many instances, and in these circumstance, in a fairly short period, tax revenues have grown significantly in the life of the Coalition.

The sugar industry which was deemed “too big to fail” has, in our view, received the harshest treatment at the hands of the Administration. As has been dismayingly mentioned on many occasions, the Government, contrary to the recommendations of its own Commission of Inquiry, closed four (4) sugar estates. The majority of the Commissioners, we cannot fail to reiterate, were handpicked by the Administration. After spending months receiving testimony, examining thousands of pages of documents and reports and spending many hours on the estates they told the Government unambiguously that is should not close any estate, taking cognizance of the social and economic repercussions.

As we know, the Government disregarded the worthwhile advice, and put some 7,000 workers directly out of work as it decided to minimize the sugar industry. Today, many of those displaced have remained on the breadline, seemingly forgotten by the Administration, which has a moral responsibility to protect the well-being of the Guyanese people.

When an objective examination is taken of the record with respect to the fulfilling of commitments by the Coalition Government, can we ask whether we can really give the same credence to the promises that are now being made? Indeed, it seems the English printer, William Caxton was on to something when in 1484, he printed in Aesop that “once bitten, twice shy”.

“Capitalist barbarism, crisis and Imperialist wars,

or socialism” COMBAT March/April, 2019

Sugar first crop...

Continued from page one (1)

– the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). The latter enterprise, as is now known infamously, has borrowed, on GuySuCo’s behalf, $30B (US$150M) through a syndicated bond that has been described as the largest of such arrangements in Guyana’s history. The bond, which the GAWU gathers has been fully taken up, has an implicit sovereign Government guarantee. At this time, it continues to accrue interest without any serious efforts being made to expend the funds for the purposes they were borrowed for.

about the current worrying state-ofaffairs. With the 2020 deadline fast approaching, a 37 per cent jump in production required to achieve the 147,000-tonne sugar target, and not much work being done towards such realization, it is hard not to be worried. We have seen first-hand the serious repercussions that have mushroomed following the closure of estates.

Indeed, the necessity to protect what remains of the industry cannot be underscored, recognizing that tens of thousands of Guyanese are still linked to the industry’s operations.

The GAWU remains most concerned

GAWU writes Natural Resources Minister on GFC restructuring

The GAWU has written Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, following the recent appointment of a task force that has been set up to examine the restructuring of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The Commission, which falls under the responsibility of Minister Trotman, is charged with the management of the country’s forestry resources, and is also responsible to ensure sustainable forestry operations.

The GAWU, in its letter of April 12 to the Minister, noted that it learnt of the appointment of the taskforce through the media, and pointed out that it was reported that the body would examine, among other things, job descriptions and conditions of work, including pay levels, of the Commission’s employees. The Union told the Minister that while it recognised that the Government had the right to assess the operations of state bodies, it drew to his attention that the GAWU was the bargaining agent on behalf of the GFC’s employees and it has an extant Collective Labour Agreement. The Union sought to

have an opportunity to engage the taskforce, contending that this will allow the body to be better informed of matters that are of concern to the Commission’s employees.

The Union is awaiting an answer from the Minister on its request. At this time, the GFC has shared that it is experiencing severe financial difficulties and is unable to pay workers their salaries and other benefits in a timely manner. The GAWU has seen too, several letters appearing in the media expressing concern about the taskforce.

The GAWU has been the bargaining agent on behalf of the 350 person workforce of the GFC. Throughout the years, the Union has been able to negotiate several improvements in conditions of work.

Our most recent negotiations, towards the end of last year, saw improvements in certain allowances as well as the approval of an end-of-year bonus for 2018.

PAGE TWO

COMMENTARY:

Economic growth - its impact on the ordinary people?

The Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, recently announced that the Guyanese economy expanded by 4.1 per cent in 2018. The announcement, which was met with much fanfare and elation in the Government camp, represented the highest level of growth since the incumbent Coalition Government came into office in May, 2015. Moreover, the Minister’s reported growth rate represents an amazing 100 per cent improvement over 2017, when the economy had then grown by 2.1 per cent. At this time, the perplexing question that sits on the minds of many Guyanese is how this growth has served to improve the lives of the ordinary people. The sad and painful response is that the growth rate has had nearly a negligible impact on the lives of the ordinary man, woman and child, who are at this time, taking a battering and really are in dire need of upliftment.

In making such statements, we must cast our minds back to the realities of the past. Recent history informed that the last time Guyana experienced similar economic growth was in 2013, when the economy expanded by 5.2 per cent. At that time, there was little doubt in people’s mind that the economy was growing and that they were the recipients of the fruits of such growth. In 2019, the situation is quite the opposite, and people see the Minister’s announcement as something alien to their realities.

Economic data for the two (2) periods paint a very different picture, and give credibility to the notion that the economic growth reported is not having an impact on the ordinary people. For instance, we see that consumption by households and private business has declined from 88 per cent of total national consumption in 2013 to 73 per cent at the end of 2018. What this means is that the ordinary people’s purchase of goods or their utilization of services has fallen by as much as 17 per cent between 2013 COMBAT March/April, 2019

and 2018. The data also tells us that Government’s expenditure in relation in the national economy has risen, undoubtedly to linked the heavy increases in taxes.

Moreover, the large sums are being spent in areas such as travelling, food, entertainment and such like. It would be instructive to know what reductions the ordinary people have had to endure while the proverbial ‘fat cats’ live their lives on the backs of the Guyanese.

The data on employment is also a useful barometer in telling us how much the economy is benefitting the ordinary people. On this score, the most recent unemployment survey, which reflected on the position as at the end of 2017, indicated 36,416 persons were unemployed at that time as against 34,964 unemployed at the beginning of 2013. Of importance, the 2017 unemployment data does not include the nearly 5,000 sugar workers who became jobless when Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates closed their doors, nor does it include the roughly 350 workers who lost their jobs after BEV ended operations in 2018. If those two (2) figures are taken into account, then nearly 42,000 persons are out of work. Of course too, we cannot ignore that hundreds have left school and entered the job-seeking world and the data does not reflect the many more that would have lost their jobs since business activity has contracted as the Georgetown Chamber of Industry and Commerce recently reported.

The economic growth recorded becomes even more perplexing when the export situation is examined. In this area, we see that the level of exports has declined by over 7 per cent between 2013 and 2018, yet the economy continues to record the reported levels of growth. This is obviously confusing, considering that higher levels of exports mean the country is producing more and is also able to sell more of its products abroad. Improved

production and exports provide the basis for increased employment and thus higher consumption. Higher exports also mean the country is able to earn more foreign exchange and be in a better position to pay for goods and services from abroad.

Lower exports have a converse effect and indicate that less foreign exchange inflows are being recorded.

This is tangibly seen in the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, which basically represent the country’s savings held in foreign currency, usually in United States dollars. According to the Bank of Guyana, between 2013 and 2018, foreign exchange reserves have declined by as much as 30 per cent. As we have alluded in previous commentaries, the falling reserves should not be treated lightly as it could be the precursor to even steeper challenges in times ahead. Should the situation not be arrested, there will be even heavier pressures for the depreciation of the Guyana dollar. As the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) taught us, such a situation is not in the interest of the workers, as the cost-of-living will sky-

rocket and any little savings that may be had will be basically worthless. Undoubtedly, it seems as it we are already caught in the throes of such a situation, as foreign currency is becoming scarce.

While the Minister and his colleagues can go about and pat themselves on their backs for delivering growth, such achievements become hollow unless the ordinary people can see their lives being meaningfully enhanced. The growth of 2018 is exactly a case in point. By and large, the economic growth being recorded is generally connected to activity related to the oil and gas sector. Here, however, the bulk of the monies being reportedly invested is being paid to contractors in foreign lands and of which just a dribbling is actually expended in the borders of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

What is clear, is that despite the hype and excitement being promoted around the Minister’s announcement, Guyanese are no better off with the reported growth. In fact, from several perspectives, our people are worse off, and those at the nation’s wheel seem to be clueless as to how to bring the ship back on course.

GAWU engages DSCL workers

The GAWU, through its Assistant General Secretary Cde Aslim Singh and the Union’s Field Secretary Cde Gordon Thomas, engaged a cross section of the union’s members at the Demerara Shipping Company Limited (DSCL) on April 05, 2019. The meeting, which was held at the Company’s premises, attracted approximately twenty-five (25) workers from all the departments of the Company.

Through the engagement, workers were apprised of the status of the Union’s meetings with the Management of the Company on matters of concern to the workers. The forum also allowed the Union the opportunity to learn of some of the difficulties and challenges that are

confronting the workers at the workplace. The Company’s Operations Manager also addressed the meeting briefly at the beginning, and used the opportunity to encourage teamwork and co-operation among the employees.

DSCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), was established in 1994, and is the local representative of several international shipping lines. It facilitates the import and export of cargo to and from several parts of the world. The GAWU has been the bargaining agent for the 70 person workforce for many years now. The Union’s representative relationship has brought several improvements in workers’ conditions of work and pay PAGE THREE

Confusion has replaced logic on sugar industry The GAWU, in the April 05 Guyana Chronicle, saw the newspaper expressing criticism regarding talk to re-open the closed estates. The state-owned newspaper, in championing its view, quoted several individuals and advanced a number of contentions. The Union must say that it is confused that the Chronicle would venture in the direction it did. The very article, towards the end, reported that the Coalition Government, at this time, is actively considering proposals that would re-open the very closed estates, albeit under private hands. So the obvious question is why the Chronicle is taking a position that is contrary to the Government’s stated-position. It seems that logic has been thrown to the wind and confusion has obviously stepped in as the paper seeks to defend the indefensible actions of the Administration.

In the article, the newspaper speaks about the support the Government provided to the industry, which it said was intent “…to protect the livelihoods of workers”. In our view, any Government worth its salt has a moral obligation to protect the well-being and welfare of its citizens.

But if the Government was so concerned about the workers’ livelihoods, why is it that it pursued a policy that put some 7,000 sugar workers out-of-work? Why is it that by closing estates it has essentially harmed the future of thousands of our nation’s children? Why is it that by its decisions it has in essence taken away the vibrancy from the many communities that were linked to the shuttered estates?

For us, and for the thousands affected, it is most difficult to be convinced that the Administration really had the livelihoods of the workers at heart and in mind.

The paper next says that the State’s assistance to sugar was coming at the expense of other sectors. But lest we forget, the Administration’s support amounted to less than 3 per cent of its aggregate expenditure in office, so far. Moreover, that assistance benefitted at least 10 per cent of the Guyanese people. Clearly, the investment was more than worthwhile, considering that the State also recouped some through taxes.

We are also told that some of the dismissed workers have been able to secure jobs at the operable estates. This on the surface, sounds nice, but fails to consider how much earlier those workers must rise from bed to travel the long distances to the still-operable estates. The fact that workers are forced to do so also tells us about the dearth of job opportunities in their communities. The Chronicle next says that some workers have been employed in other sectors while some are engaged in self-employment. This, again, sounds plausible but has the Chronicle, or for that matter the powers-that-be, COMBAT March/April, 2019

asked themselves to what extent this is really so?

The state-owned paper quotes Dr Justin Ram, the CDB’s Director of Economics, who said that the sugar industry’s survival is linked to, among other things, “… the utilisation of technology to allow it to become competitive in the modern world”.

The Union agrees with Dr Ram’s assessment, and we urge such an approach be taken by the Government. Dishearteningly, as we all well know, the Government went in a different direction. Interestingly, and one could say perplexingly, the Administration, as far as we know, has not explained why it didn’t embrace the view expressed both by GAWU and Dr Ram. It seems to us that there is more in the mortar than the pestle can pound.

The Chronicle next says that an economist, Sydney Armstrong, opined that the minimization of the sugar industry was “the way to go”. The GAWU wonders whether Mr Armstrong was correctly quoted, as the article later quotes Mr Armstrong as saying that the industry’s survival could also be assured through “…getting GuySuCo into value-added processing”. Again, this was a major plank of the GAWUs position. Moreover, the Government also accepts such an approach, as it approved, ostensibly, the borrowing of $30B, of which a significant proportion, we are told, will be spent on ventures that move the industry up the value chain.

The Union saw too that Mr Armstrong is quoted as saying “…Brazil is producing it for about US$0.14 cents per pound”. We find this statement interesting, as at this point in time sugar on the world market is being sold at a lower price. The point we wish to make here is that no country in the world produces at the world market price, but the difference between cost and price are covered through various mechanisms employed by respective sugar producing states. On this score, Mr Christopher Ram, in his presentation to the Sugar CoI, pointed out that the World Bank said “…that the international sugar market is one of the most highly distorted agricultural commodity markets. Raw and refined sugar markets it noted are generally characterised by significant and widespread domestic support and trade distorting policies, such as guaranteed minimum payments to producers, production and marketing controls (quotas), state-regulated retail prices, tariffs, import quotas and export subsidies”. Mr Ram goes on to say, “[t]here is nothing in the available literature to suggest that this situation has changed in any significant way”.

The paper also spoke to Mr Rawle Lucas, who opined that the assistance to sugar was not bringing any benefit to the economy. Here, we wish to point that the

CDB, in assessing a request to finance the Sugar Industry Mechanisation Project, opined “…it is economically viable for GOGY to continue subsidising and protecting the cultivation and harvesting of sugar cane and processing of sugar for export and local consumption.” The CDB further said, “Projects and programmes that enhance sugar cane cultivation and sugar manufacturing have the potential to earn foreign exchange, but may not be always financially profitable. Consequently, given the importance of foreign exchange to the economy, such operations may, at times, need government’s protection and/ or support in meeting operating and capital costs”. Indeed, given the situation playing out in the foreign exchange market, it is clear that the CDB’s assessment was correct.

The GAWU, like many others, strongly upholds the view that the decision to minimize the sugar industry was patently wrong, and the ramifications will be felt not only now, but in the future as well.

Today, in the areas of the closed estates, some children cannot attend school regularly; bills are not being paid in a timely manner; families have broken up, and the provision of healthy meals for some is not a regular feature. While some may chose to consider economics and finance above all other matters, at the end of the day, it is people who are suffering and facing hardship, and no amount of propaganda can wish away that reality. At this time, we reiterate what President David Granger said in December, 2017: that people must come before profits!

On April 14, 2019, the cane cutters of Uitvlugt Estate staged a picketing exercise to call on the estate’s management to provide them with a fair week’s work.

During week-ending April 13, 2019, the cane cutters informed that they were only provided with approximately three (3) days of work.

Such reduced work in the cropping period is unusual, recognizing that maximum efforts would usually be pursued to ensure the timely harvesting of canes.

The situation at Uitvlugt is even more unusual as the factory is generally operating normally, and therefore it appears there was no reason to limit work to the cane cutters in the first place. Strangely, though the cane cutters received reduced work assignments last week, the estate still managed to realize its weekly production target. The workers shared that the achievement of the target is linked to what appears to be preference given to the processing of farmers canes. The workers lamented that the situation, which apart from denying them work, is causing the estate canes to become older a situation is one that can well lend to reduce cane productivity. Usually, the Corporation would plan its harvesting programme in such a way as to ensure that there is balanced

harvesting of farmers’ and estate’s canes.

The workers are most dismayed by the apparent actions of the estate, which has served to curtail their earnings. The cane cutters shared that they had to contend with a longer-than-usual out-of-crop period, which was extended by an additional week; and at this time they are eager to work, recognizing they have many of life’s obligations to meet. They shared that though the GuySuCo has pointed to workers’ earnings being enhanced by incentives, the denial of work to them precludes the opportunity of earning the very incentives the Corporation has touted.

GAWU, on April 12, 2019, wrote GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Harold Davis, about the prevailing situation, and urged that the workers be offered suitable, adequate work. We opined that such situation is in the interest of the workers and the Corporation. Indeed, the circumstances have left a most bitter taste in the mouths of the workers, who, while demonstrating their willingness to work, have had their best of intentions sapped for unknown reason/s. The Union, at this time, looks forward to a normal situation being restored at Uitvlugt.

Uitvlugt cane cutters demand a fair week’s work

PAGE FOUR

Rose Hall workers decry working-conditions

Dr Joey Jagan exposes his unfamiliarity with sugar

The GAWU recognized, from a letter which appeared in the March 24, Guyana Chronicle from Dr Joey Jagan, certain accusations were levelled apparently aimed at tarnishing our Union’s reputation and character.

On April 04, 2019, approximately 100 cane cutters who were transferred to Albion Estate from Rose Hall Estate after the former closed at the end of 2017 staged a picketing exercise outside the now-closed Rose Hall Estate Administrative Office. This is the second day that the workers are picketing to express their concern regarding the serious difficulties and harsh working conditions they have had to endure since they took up work at Albion, now over a year ago.

The workers have related that on some days they are unable to earn, as there are insufficient punts which see them having to load their canes into punts on the next day. In other words, they are working two (2) days but earning one day’s pay. Workers also shared thatthe longer distances they must travel now to Albion see them reaching their worksites as late as 8.30am, at which time the sun is already hot and thus the weather serves to impede their productivity. Normally, cane cutters would seek to begin their tasks as early as 5.30am to take advantage of the cooler weather. The workers pointed out that GuySuCo had indicated to them prior to their transfer that they would be working in the section of the Rose Hall cultivation that was annexed to Albion Estate. However, this turned out not to be the case.

COMBAT March/April, 2019

The state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo), in a letter of April 02, 2019 to the GAWU, intimated that it would take disciplinary actions against the workers for their participation in protest actions. The GAWU, in a response dated April 03, 2019, pointed out to the sugar company that workers, as Guyanese, have a right of expression. The possibility of disciplinary action could be seen as impinging on that inalienable constitutional right. Our Union, moreover, urged GuySuCo that there be a sober assessment of the situation. We pointed out to the Corporation that dialogue and not confrontation is the appropriate method in addressing such matters as a means to bring about an amicable solution. The workers, during today’s picketing exercise, echoed similar views and called on GuySuCo officials to engage them in frank dialogue.

The workers, given the situation, are calling on the GuySuCo to pay them their severance pay. The workers, together with the GAWU, recently engaged Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall on the matter.

At this time, the law is being examined to see what possibilities present themselves, and the Union will accordingly be guided.

Our Union could not help but notice that Dr Joey’s letter appeared in close proximity to the 101st Birth Anniversary of his father, the indefatigable Dr Cheddi Jagan, who was very much associated with the work and victories of our Union during his lifetime. Also, the letter comes on the eve of Cde Janet Jagan’s memorial activity at Babu Jaan – another outstanding GAWU supporter. Of course this truism should not be unknown to Dr Joey Jagan. The innuendos contained in his letter, we contend, are baseless and serve only to demonstrate his clear unfamiliarity with the workings of the sugar industry, though this is surprising considering that both Cdes Cheddi and Janet Jagan were closely associated with many of the struggles of the industry’s workers.

Contrary to Dr Joey Jagan’s seemingly warped thinking the GAWU has never shirked from its responsibility to advance the conditions of workers under its representation. In fact, the Union is committed to ensuring that the well-being of all workers is improved. This has been reflected by the Union’s activism,not only at the bargaining table, which has brought many benefits and gains to our members.

In the letter, he charged that “…sugar workers were treated with contempt…”.

But we wonder if Dr Joey doesn’t find the treatment of the workers by the current Government most contemptuous. He must know, as it is widely known, that some 7,000 sugar workers have lost their jobs during the tenure of the Coalition.

He should know, too, that sugar workers remain the only group of workers in the State sector not to have gotten even a dollar as pay increase, while those on the top echelons of the Administration approved obscenely humongous increases in their pay and perks. He would know that the GAWU, a Union Dr Cheddi Jagan served as Honorary President for many years, has seen its members being denied paid-release to attend their Union’s Congress, but such facility has not been denied to other unions and workers. Even Forbes Burnham didn’t treat sugar workers as the inheritors of his party are treating them now-a-days.

Apart from successes scored in our consistent representation with the industry’s overlords, we have also, on our own or together with our unions in FITUG, raised our voices to advocate policies and programmes to help our working-people generally. Such a stance is inherited from Cde Cheddi, among others, and continues to guide our efforts today.

Dr Joey continues to show his unfamiliarity with the workings of our Union with the assertion that our Union’s leadership was part of the Government. Contrary to those preposterous lamentations, the GAWU, as it said before, has members who are supportive of all the political groupings in Guyana. We respect and uphold our members’ right in this regard.

We cannot say with any certainty what has motivated such remarks about GAWU in the letter by Dr Joey. Maybe, it’s an attempt to be relevant at this time.

If so, he really has a long, long way to go.

PAGE FIVE

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

Julian Assange and the agenda for global war

By Professor James Petras For almost a decade, Washington has sought to silence, jail and eliminate the world’s most prominent investigative journalist, Julian Assange (JA), and his team of co-workers at WikiLeaks (WL).

Never has the mass media been so thoroughly discredited by official documents which directly contradict the official propaganda mouthed by political leaders and parroted by ‘leading’ journalists.

Washington is particularly intent on capturing JA because his revelations have had a particularly powerful impact on the US public, political critics, the alternative media, and human rights groups in turning them against US wars in the Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Latin America.

We will proceed by discussing what JA and WL accomplished, and why the particular ‘cutting edge’ of their reportage disturbed the government.

We will then discus the ‘ongoing’ conflicts and the failure of the White House to score a decisive victory as factors which have led Washington to intensify its efforts to make JA an ‘example’ to other journalists – demanding that they should ‘shape up’ or pay the consequences, including imprisonment.

By the end of a decade of war, opposition to the US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan had spread to sectors of the military and civilian establishment. Documents were leaked and critics were encouraged to hand over reports revealing war crimes and the toll in human lives.

WL, under Assange’s leadership, were the recipients of hundreds of thousands of documents which poured in from military analysts, contractors and civilian office holders disgusted by official and mass media lies which perpetrated and covered up war crimes.

As the wars dragged on, and new ones were launched in Libya and Syria and liberal Congress-members were impoCOMBAT March/April, 2019

tent and unwilling to expose the Obama/ Clinton regimes’ lies and the falsifications accompanying the murder of President Gaddafi, WikiLeaks and JA publicized documents which revealed how the US planned, implemented and fabricated Humanitarian Wars to ‘save people’ by bombing them!

The major networks and prestigious press followed the official line, but WL documents discredited them.

The Pentagon, the CIA, the Presidency and their Congressional supporters panicked – as their covert activities came to light. They resorted to several desperate moves, all directed to silence free speech.

They accused the investigative journalists of ‘espionage’ – working for Russia, or being Islamic terrorists, or simply being ‘traitors for cash’.

As WL message gained legitimacy, Washington turned to the judiciary in search of rulings to muzzle their critics.

Free speech was criminalized, but WL continued. New and more critical whistleblowers came on the scene; Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, William Binney and others provided new devastating evidence of Washington’s gross distortions and fabrications regarding civilian deaths.

In the Pentagon’s eyes, Julian Assange was The Enemy because he refused to be bought or intimidated. WL successfully aroused distrust of the mass media and distrust of the official war news’ spread among the public.

The Pentagon, the White House and the intelligence apparatus sought the ‘internal’ spies feeding documents to WL. Julian Assange was targeted for arrest in the belief that ‘beheading’ the leader would intimidate other investigative journalists. JA fled for his life, and sought and received asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in the UK. After seven years of pressure, the US succeeded in having the Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno violate his own

country’s constitution and allow the British police to seize JS, jail and prepare him for extradition to Washington, where the regime will find the appropriate judicial setting to condemn him to life imprisonment, or worse.

The war crimes committed by Washington are of such dimension that they have eroded the passive and submissive ethos of their public servants. Having lost the trust, the government relies on threats, expulsions and criminal trials.

Investigative journalists are under pressure from the chorus of press prostitutes, and face criminal trials.

Julian Assange’s upcoming trial is about more than free speech. It is about Washington’s ability to pursue global wars, to apply illegal sanctions against independent countries, and to recruit vassal states without opposition. Washington, without public awareness, will be able to launch trade wars and slander competi-

tors with impunity. Once whistleblowers are silenced and/or jailed, anything goes.

In the present period, many journalists have lost their ability to speak truth to power, and young writers who seek outlets and role models face the threat of censorship enforced by egregious punishment. The White House seeks to convert the country into an echo chamber of lies for ‘humanitarian’ wars and ‘democratic’ coups.

Today the US Government pursues a war against Venezuela. Treasury seizes its resources and wealth and State appoints its president in the name of ‘democratic values’. The Trump regime is starving the Venezuelan people into submission in the name of a humanitarian mission, a ploy which is only contested by few journalists in the alternative media.

Washington is jailing JA to ensure that the crimes against Venezuela will continue with impunity.

Mounting concern over cholera health crisis in Yemen

By Peter Beaumont Yemen is facing a massive resurgence of cholera in what was already one of the world’s worst outbreaks, with more than 137,000 suspected cases and almost 300 deaths reported in the first three months of this year. With well over 2,000 suspected cases being recorded every day – a doubling since the beginning of the year – aid agencies fear they could be facing a major new health crisis.

Amid mounting concern over the return of the epidemic – which first broke out in the war-devastated country in 2016 – aid agencies are reporting cases in 21 out of 23 governorates, with children under five making up a quarter of those affected. Despite the spread, however, the outbreak has been worst in six governorates, including in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, and Ibb, in the south of Yemen, according to Save the Children. The latest surge in cholera cases threatens to further complicate the already dire humanitarian situation.

The spread of the waterborne disease has been exacerbated by the collapse of Yemen’s health system in a country where 17.8 million people lack access to safe water and sanitation services. Although the alarm had already been raised in February and March over cases which had reached 1,000 a day, by April, health workers were reporting an increase of close to 150% since then.

According to World Health Organiza-

tion data released this month, more than 108,000 cases have been reported this year to 17 March, in comparison with 371,000 cases in the whole of the last year, with the trend of suspected cases up 24%.

The figures are edging closer to those of the 2017 outbreak, when 1 million cases were reported. The prospect of a major new cholera epidemic, exacerbated by both the advent of rains and the difficulties for humanitarian workers in reaching conflict-affected areas, comes with no end to the violence in sight.

The warnings coincide with the decision

by President Donald Trump to veto a resolution passed by Congress to end US military assistance in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen – seen as a significant political message. The US provides billions of dollars of arms to the Saudi-led coalition fighting against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, with members of Congress expressing concern about the thousands of civilians killed in coalition airstrikes since the conflict began in 2014.

The fighting in the Arab world’s poorest country has also left millions suffering from food and medical care shortages, and has pushed the country to the brink of famine. David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid group, said: “This veto

by President Trump is morally wrong and strategically wrongheaded. It sets back the hopes for respite for the Yemeni people, and leaves the US upholding a failed strategy.”

PAGE SIX

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

US Peace Council contradicts western media distortions on Venezuela

By Carla Stea In a March 26 United Nations press briefing, the United States Peace Council, just returned from a recent visit to Venezuela, presented an eyewitness account of realities on the ground. Their factual information drastically contradicted Western media distortions and propaganda intended to discredit the government of President Maduro. The panel included Dr. Margaret Flowers a pediatrician and co-Director of Popular Resistance.org; Attorney Kevin Zeese, also co-director of Popular Resistance.org; Sara Flounders, of the International Action Center and founder of the organization No War on Venezuela.

Both Dr. Flowers and Sara Flounders confirmed that Presidents Chavez and Maduro had constructed 6,000 medical clinics, trained 18,000 physicians, and built almost three million housing units to provide decent homes for the poorest citizens. The two Presidents had also provided the highest per capita availability of pharmaceuticals in Latin America. Living standards for the poor dramatically improved.

Attorney Kevin Zeese confirmed that the current Venezuelan Constitution guarantees human rights and defense of law and civil society. He added that there were 168 credentialed international observers during the recent re-election of Maduro, and they confirmed that Maduro won 68% of the vote. There is zero legitimacy to Guaido’s farcical claim to the “interim presidency,”. According to the Venezuelan constitution, only if Maduro was too ill to govern, or dead, could he be replaced; and then, only the Vice President could legally replace him.

Following the failed coup against President Chavez in 2004, the US, in violation of international law under the Rome Statute, imposed illegal sanctions to cripple and ultimately destroy the Venezuelan COMBAT March/April, 2019

economy, and have, since 2017, imposed coercive economic sanctions which are tantamount to modern day piracy. The US and its proxies, including the UK, have stolen billions of dollars belonging to the Venezuelan people, and have blocked pharmaceutical supplies, crippling the medical system; when Venezuela attempted to purchase medications from India and Turkey, the US blocked that.

In 2014, US President Obama declared Venezuela a national security threat, opening the way for military intervention. The criminal methods used to destroy the democratically elected government of Allende in Chile are being repeated in an attempt to destroy the Maduro Presidency, and steal the richest oil supply on the planet and other precious natural resources that belong to Venezuela. Zeese confirmed that the coercive sanctions against Venezuela are violating the UN Charter, and should be challenged in international courts.

When the US puppet Guaido failed to foment a coup d’etat, mercenaries trained in Colombia and funded by Venezuelan assets stolen from Venezuela by the US and its proxies are preparing to disguise themselves as disaffected Venezuelan military personnel, and planning to cause chaos, spreading terrorism which will serve as an excuse for Western military intervention. This is a heinous pattern of engineered violent provocations, employed by the infamous School of the Americas during the period from the 1950s through the 1990s, and is technologically vastly advanced today. On March 24, an article headlined: “US and Puppet Guaido Implicated in Terrorism Plot,” reported that Guaido’s Chief of Staff Roberto Marrero was implicated in terrorist plots funded by assets seized from Venezuela and channeled into bank accounts through Colombia. “Teams of assassins brought from Honduras and El

Salvador were trained in Colombia to carry out terrorist acts in Venezuela.”

There is solid evidence that the blackout in Venezuela following Guaido’s failed coup d’etat was engineered by the US-Guaido junta. According to Sara Flounders, blueprints for the blackout attacks were traced to a source in Chicago with software equipment based in Houston, Texas.

As early as the 1960s, the Latin American military was trained in methods of terrorism at the International Police Academy Center in Washington, with courses in Texas, at Los Fresnos. The Latin American military was trained in everything connected with explosives, the way to manufacture explosive charges, anti-personnel systems, bombs capable of destroying a building, a car, or railroad tracks. In “free time”, students practised using a knife and techniques for killing silently without noise. Once the student was familiar with everything concerning primary explosives, he undertook the study of what is called “detonating cord” and its various applications. Then the student proceeded to the study of electronic systems and electric detonators. When the student has a working knowledge of all these systems, he is taught an excellent type of bomb – a booby trap wired to the electric bulb in a Frigidaire.

The infamous U.S. police “advisor” Dan Mitrione trained the Latin American military in updated torture techniques; Mitrione kidnapped homeless beggars

on the streets of Brazil, stripped them naked, and demonstrated various torture methods on their live human bodies, as a result of which these human guinea pigs died or were murdered. This is an example of U.S. aid to Latin America.

In the half century since then, massively sophisticated methods of sabotage of the economies of countries independent of Washington’s control have been devised, and if these do not succeed, Washington and allies resort to military intervention, often employing the U.N. Security Council as enablers, as was the case in Libya, in 2011, and in 1991 in Iraq. Today Venezuela, the world’s richest country in oil is the target. Any hosannas of concern for the people of Venezuela are fraudulent, as desperate refugees from other countries are ignored or imprisoned by the U.S Government, as are the numerous homeless, impoverished citizens of the USA, a dangerously increasing number.

On April 10, US Vice-President Pence disgraced himself at the UN Security Council by questioning the Venezuelan Ambassador’s authority, and pressuring the UN Security Council to revoke his legitimate credentials. Venezuelan Ambassador Moncada is a gentleman, otherwise he would have replied to Pence that the Government of the United States is so grossly discredited, including by more than half its citizens, and still undergoing a probe of corruption by the Department of Justice (paid for by U.S. taxpayers), that Pence should not be sitting in the UN Security Council, but his own credentials should be revoked, and he should be replaced by Bernie Sanders.

WFTU in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails The World Federation of Trade Unions, which is the militant voice of 97 million workers in 130 countries throughout the world, extends its internationalist solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, who have begun a hunger strike of indefinite duration, even by refraining from drinking water.

The Palestinian prisoners demand from the Israel Prison Services (IPS) the removal of all jamming devices, the right to be visited by their families, the installation of public phones in the prisons, the end of the solitary confinement of prisoners (including 5 children), the end of assaults, and the improvement of medical service, among others.

Currently, 6000 Palestinians are held

in Israeli jails, including 210 children, many of them imprisoned for many years. Only recently, twenty teenagers were arrested by Israeli soldiers, among whom was the 15-year-old Mohammed Tamimi, brother of Ahed Tamimi, for resisting the Israeli occupation.

We strongly denounce the arrests and imprisonment of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and demand the respect of their rights and their immediate release from the jails of Israel.

We reiterate our internationalist solidarity with the People of Palestine, and stably support the recognition of a Palestinian State on the basis of the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

PAGE SEVEN

NICIL-SPU disposal of sugar Outstanding job evaluation of assets raises serious eyebrows high concern to DHBC workers

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has learnt, in recent times, that the Sugar Special Purpose Unit (SPU) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has been disposing of certain movable assets from the now-shuttered Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales Estates. The estates, which had been surreptitiously placed under the watch of NICIL-SPU at the end of 2017, had a number of movable fixed and current assets when they closed their doors.

Information reaching the GAWU indicates that NICIL-SPU has been selling, among other things, serviceable tractors, motorcycles, and agricultural implements such as ploughs and harrows.

The Union understands that the assets are being disposed of without any resort to competitive bidding. In fact, we disturbingly learnt that many of the items sold would have attracted superior prices had they been placed on auction. If our information is indeed accurate, it is a serious cause for concern, and we hasten to wonder whether the sale prices have any resemblance to the values that were assigned to the assets in question by the recently-completed valuation exercise that was conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC).

Moreover, the sale of these useful assets comes at a time when the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc’s (GuySuCo’s) rehabilitation programme has been severely hamstrung by a lack of equipment.

Indeed, we learnt too that the Corporation had expressed interest in utilizing the equipment that was lying idle at the closed estates to further its plans to improve production and productivity.

The March 09 Stabroek News reported GAWU President Komal Chand as saying that the Corporation was operating below its potential.

The GAWU hastens to ask who approved the sale transactions? Were they fully considered by the Board of NICIL? And if so, what justifications were advanced to dispose of the assets in what COMBAT March/April, 2019

seems to be a fire sale? The asset disposal, we cannot ignore, comes at a time when rumours are in the air about the transfer of State resources to personalities connected to the current Government.

Whether the apparent haste by NICILSPU has any connection, we don’t know, but at the same time we cannot ignore the coincidence. We also learnt that in recent times, NICIL-SPU has been selling former sugar lands and had engaged in a programme of scrap metal disposal.

Given our understanding regarding the sale of assets, we cannot help but wonder whether maximum value was received.

Recently, the Guyana Times reported about NICIL-SPU imposition of a fee for workers of Skeldon Estate to traverse the backlands to catch fish and to harvest wild vegetables to feed their families, who are hard-pressed since the estate closed more than a year ago. The GAWU had expressed its serious concerns about what was reported, and had written NICIL seeking consideration about a waiver of the imposed fee. Despite our letter and a subsequent reminder, NICIL, to date, has not even acknowledged our letter.

The apparent conduct by NICIL-SPU also gives rise to serious concerns about the sale of the estates themselves, and whether maximum value would be sought. Undoubtedly, NICIL-SPU, as the agent of the Guyanese people, needs to be most concerned with this objective. The Union contends that the assets under the auspices of NICIL-SPU ultimately belong to the Guyanese people, and it is in the people’s interest that this identified authority secures the best possible returns for these assets.

Indeed, consideration at this time cannot ignore the compelling view that the major sale of state assets should not be pursued due to the Constitutional issue that is presently in the public domain. In fact, until there is clarity on the matter, the Union is of the view, the equipment should be released to the Corporation towards its field rehabilitation programme, which is necessary at this time.

Some of the workers who attended the meeting on April 11, 2019. The workers are very concerned about the protcrastination regarding the completion of the Job Evaluation exercise.

Workers of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) are very much concerned about the completion of the Job Evaluation exercise at the entity.

The workers shared their concerns with the Union during an engagement held on April 11, 2019 at the Company’s boardroom. During the meeting, the workers were apprised of the current status of the exercise by the Union’s Assistant General Secretary Cde Aslim Singh and the Field Secretary Cde Gordon Thomas.

The joint Union/Corporation Job Evaluation exercise was agreed to during negotiations some time ago. Following the DHBC’s contracting of a Human Resources consultant, the exercise picked up steam and was steadily progressing.

However, the conduct of the exercise was brought to a pause after the job descriptions and the evaluation of those jobs for employees represented by the Union were completed. The next focus was on the evaluation of the managerial-type jobs. That aspect of the evaluation would not have involved the GAWU, since those employees are outside of the GAWU’s bargaining unit.

The Union had written several correspondences to the Management of the DHBC, expressing concern about the delay. More recently, several workers appended their names to a petition calling on the Management of the Corporation to bring the exercise to finalisation. It is understood that the evaluation of the managerial jobs remains incomplete and thus preventing the exercise’s conclusion.

The GAWU has suggested that the exercise regarding the workers in its bargaining unit, given the advanced stage, be concluded at this time. On this score, the DHBC, through the HR consultant,

undertook to provide certain information. So far, the GAWU has received one aspect of the promised information, and has written the DHBC with regards to the other outstanding data. The Union is hopeful that the remaining information would soon be provided, in an effort to move the process forward.

The workers also shared with the Union some other concerns they have, and the GAWU has since written the DHBC seeking a meeting to discuss the issues raised. Through the engagement, emphasis was placed on the functioning of the Union’s organization through regular meetings of the branch and engagements with the shop stewards and the field secretary. It was pointed out that a stronger organization is in the workers’ interest and allows for matters that are of concern to be quickly addressed. The meeting, at the beginning, was also briefly addressed by the DHBC Human Resources Manager, who encouraged workers to remain committed to their jobs and tasks as they work together to ensure that the Corporation is able to fulfill its mandate.

The GAWU has been the bargaining agent on behalf of the DHBC’s 130-person workforce since 2003. Over those years, the Union has been successful, through our representation, to enhance workers’ conditions of work and benefits.

The DHBC is charged with the management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is now over 40-years old and spans the Demerara River between Peter’s Hall on the east bank and Meer-Zorgen on the west bank. The bridge is kept afloat by 114 pontoons, measures approximately two (2) kilometres long, and currently sees over 10,000 vehicles traversing daily.

PAGE EIGHT

Dr Jagan’s teachings and work remain relevant in our times

The GAWU pays tribute and homage to the Union’s former Honorary President, Dr Cheddi Jagan. Cde Cheddi, as he was more fondly known, had a long association with GAWU and, more so, the struggles of the sugar workers and in fact workers generally. History records that he always stood on the side of the workers and the downtrodden during his lifetime.

Indeed, Cde Cheddi’s name has become synonymous with Guyana and its many proud accomplishments. From his entry into politics in the 1940s at an age when many persons now-a-days are hardly ready to walk in such big shoes, Cheddi’s commitment to the people, especially the working-people, remained undiminished up until he left us 22 years ago. His several notable accomplishments as a consummate politician are well-known, and his stature as a statesman is renowned and is testimony to the giant of a man he was. For the GAWU, sometimes those outstanding features of him overshadow the remarkable achievements he scored in the Trade Union Movement. His trade union activism saw him in the early years close to the Sawmill and Forest Workers Union and to workers’ struggles in the sugar industry.

As we pay tribute to Dr Jagan, the GAWU cannot fail to take stock of the current-day workers’ struggles in Guyana. Given our country’s rich and cherished history of worker’s activism and the notable distinction of the establishment of the first Trade Union in the British Colonial Empire, now one hundred years ago, it is disheartening to recognize the situation of today. We saw, too, the spirited struggle of the bauxite workers to have their rights respected by a foreign-owned company. The disrespect of COMBAT March/April, 2019

workers’ rights cannot be condoned. It is widely recognized that those rights are now enshrined in law, and were won by the current and previous generations of workers.

But, at the same time, we cannot ignore the attitude of the current Government to workers’ matters generally.

The removal from our national landscape of a full-fledged Ministry of Labour sends, in our view, a clear signal of the Administration’s level of concern for workers’ matters and issues. It is apposite to note that the Ministry of Labour was established by the 1953 Cheddi Jagan Government, and was maintained by all the preand post-independence Governments until May, 2015, when the current Coalition took office.

We have also seen the responses of the Government regarding actions and utterances regarding the protest actions by our nation’s teachers last year. The statements which emanated from some quarters of the Government only served to confirm the widely-held view that the Administration has a dim view about workers’ matters. The absence of Collective Bargaining is another matter we cannot ignore, recognizing especially, that the Administration campaigned on this issue.

Incidentally, it should be recognized that it is the Dr Jagan-led PPP/C Administration which made Collective Bargaining a right through the Trade Union Recognition Act, which became law a few months after Cde Cheddi left us.

Dr Jagan, as is well-known, had a long association with the struggles of the sugar workers. That association brought them to new heights and saw them realizing several of their aspirations. As we recall Cde Cheddi’s contribution, we cannot ignore the now-a-days plight of our nation’s sugar workers. The placing of 7,000 workers on the breadline has to be among the most irresponsible decisions ever taken in our post-independence history.

Today, the suffering and misery that lies on the doorsteps of tens of thousands of Guyanese, occasioned by the void of the closure of estates without any attendant replacement or support by the State, can only be seen as reckless decision-making by the powers-that-be. For the workers who remain connected to the industry, they have been victims of what can be

seen as naked-discrimination. As is now a known-fact, sugar workers remain the only group of the State’s workers who have not gotten any improvement in pay since the current crop of executive political leaders took up their posts. The workers, like all the nation’s workers, are being crushed by the heavy cost-of-living and harsh realities of life.

Paying tribute to Dr Jagan at this time, when our country is gripped by confusion, focuses attention to his selfless struggles and advocacy of workers’ causes. Dr Jagan’s speeches and writings are filled with lessons than can guide us as we face up to these new challenges and continue in our various struggles. However, some things stand out. His fight for democracy, arguing that it is a condition for development, is still applicable today, not just to Guyana, but other countries too.

In the vault of such rich memories of Cde Cheddi Jagan, we find another gem.

He was a fighter for World Peace. He

was Vice-President of the World Peace Council, a body that conducted activities throughout the world in opposition to unjust imperialist war-mongering, a body that championed world peace in the face of the threat of nuclear conflagration of our planet. Today, world peace has again become a central question before mankind. More than ever, the question of world peace must engage our attention.

Let us walk in the footsteps of our celebrated leader.

Twenty-two (22) years have gone by since Cde Cheddi took leave of us. We well remember today those qualities that have made him an outstanding leader. In our complicated times and in confronting unusual challenges, he is gravely missed.

But we take comfort in the thought that he left us a legacy which, if creatively followed in these dynamic times, will serve as a guiding compass in our many-sided struggles for a better, democratic and peaceful future.

GAWU concerned about high meals expenditure at Uitvlugt - over 1,000 meals reportedly prepared for head office visitors The GAWU, through a usually reliable source, has learnt that Uitvlugt Estate, during 2018, expended well over a million dollars on meals provided to visitors to the estate. Those visitors, we understand, are mainly personnel from the Corporation’s Head Office. It therefore would mean that over 1,000 meals would have been prepared last year, assuming that a meal costs $1,000. If that is the case, it would mean that the estate had about three visitors every day of the year. This is incredible and incredulous at the same time.

If the information that has reached the Union’s hands is indeed accurate, then it is cause for a great concern regarding the administration of the industry’s finances. At this time, as the workers well know, the Corporation has relied on the excuse of lack of finance to deny, over and over, justifiable requests for improvements in working conditions and benefits.

GAWU, on several occasions, has expressed concern about the management of the industry’s finances. Previously, we pointed to the hefty sums going to what the Corporation deems its Key Managerial Personnel. On this matter, we noted, from the most recently available data, that sums going to this group of the state-owned enterprise’s top-echelon almost doubled between 2015 and

2016. We know, too, that the industry invested $61M into its seed paddy project at Wales, but realized only $9M in income, in other words, it realized a loss of $52M. It also came to our attention that the Corporation spent nearly $58M on a feasibility study for aquaculture and not one fish was harvested. With such expenditure seemingly becoming a feature of the Corporation, it was not surprising when we saw that the Corporation’s Head Office cost rose from 9 per cent of total costs in 2017 to over 14 per cent of total costs at the end of September, 2018.

This sort of expenditure is coming at the same time that the Corporation is telling the public that it needs investment in the fields and factories. Moreover, we see such expenditures taking place when the industry’s workers, whom the Corporation describes as its most important asset, being denied a pay rise since 2015, and have had several important benefits suspended and ignored.

To say that the Union is disheartened by the most recent revelation is to say the least. Undoubtedly, at this time, when workers are having a most difficult time to make ends meet, it is upsetting that such disturbing news is coming to light.

PAGE NINE

GAWU’s 30-year struggle for recognition - a proud chapter of Guyana’s rich Trade Union history

REMEMBERING KOWSILLA: Every year the GAWU organises a simple activity in recalling the heroism of Kowsilla, who was killed by a scab-driven tractor during a protest in which workers were seeking the recognition of GAWU. This year, as in previous years, there was a march from the Leonora Primary School to the Anna Catherina Cemetery, where Kowsilla was interred. At the cemetery, tributes were paid and wreaths laid on her tomb.

Continued from 2019 edition

January/February

Kowsilla’s heroism As the GAWU recommenced in earnest the struggle to become the workers’ bargaining agent, the beleaguered workers rallied around the Union. As the struggle unfolded, another notable but tragic episode concerned the death of Kowsilla unfolded. Kowsilla, also known as Alice, a humble housewife, was an executive of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) women’s arm – the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) – branch at Leonora. The workers of Leonora Sugar Estate took strike action on February 17, 1964 regarding the refusal of the estate management to provide work to workers who participated in a nationwide protest against the imposition of the Proportional Representation electoral system.

The workers, on their return, were told they should go make placards for Dr Jagan. As the strike continued, the workers also called for the recognition of GAWU. The strike attracted wide support and saw solidarity from non-sugar workers too. On the faithful day – March 06, 1964 – Kowsilla joined sugar workers and others to squat on the bridge leading to the estate’s factory. They were seeking to prevent from entering the estate scabs who were performing the jobs of the striking workers. Despite the shouts of protest from the estate authority to remove from the bridge, about a dozen women, among others, resisted and sat on that high bridge. This led to the estate manager ordering a tractor to drive onto the bridge.

The fast pace of the tractor saw KowsilCOMBAT March/April, 2019

la being crushed to death and two other women, Jagdai and Daisee Sookram, suffering broken backs, crippled for life.

Another of the squatting women, Kisson Dai, lost one kidney and had broken hips, and more had to be treated for other serious injuries.

The events of March 06, 1964 were not merely a group of essentially women who decided to sit on an estate bridge, but rather a resistance movement in full agitation against the powerful plantocracy and Guyanese who aligned with it subtly, because they opposed Dr Jagan and his supporters in Leonora. It was more than a case of the “native” taking on the “outsider”. Ever since Kowsilla’s death, now 55 years ago, the GAWU has organized a simple wreath-laying and tribute exercise at her gravesite at the Anna Catherina cemetery. The GAWU and the sugar workers owe an immense debt to Kowsilla, and keeping her memory alive is another reminder of the sacrifice and struggle the workers waged as they sought to have their right for a Union of their choice respected.

The recognition struggle continues Affected, but not daunted, the GAWU’s struggle for recognition continued. Over the years, protest actions by the Union as it reiterated its calls saw major support by the workers. At one time, it was proposed that the GAWU become the bargaining agent on behalf of the field workers, while the MPCA remained the representative of the factory workers. This proposal was rightly rejected, as both factory and field workers demanded that GAWU represent them.

During this period, Dr Jagan, who was the Union’s Honorary President, continued to provide insightful and valued leadership. Cde Cheddi was an ardent supporter of the Union. He never failed, locally and overseas, to sound the call for the Union’s recognition. Despite the political circumstances of the time, which demanded much of his attention and time, he never faltered in lending his voice and thoughts to the struggle of the GAWU and the sugar workers. Indeed, the sugar workers came to respect and admire Dr Jagan’s commitment to their cause. They held him in high esteem, and he was always treated with great respect.

The recognition struggle was not an easy period for the GAWU, its leadership and the workers. On occasions, the security forces were used to intimidate and harass the workers and the Union.

And sometimes workers were arrested and placed before the Courts on the flimsiest of charges. There was also surveillance of the Union, and the actions and its activities were closely watched too.

At the workplace level too, workers were threatened for their association with and support of, GAWU. Despite what would be daunting challenges, the workers re-

mained committed to the struggle, and roundly supported the Union.

The struggle reached a high-pitch in 1975, when workers in the first spring sugar crop, struck for seven (7) weeks demanding the recognition of GAWU. The strike came to an end when Dr Jagan, in what can be deemed as a novelty at that time, suggested that the strike be adjourned. This was an unheard of suggestion and after discussion, the Union and the workers agreed. The strike recommenced in the second autumn crop with workers striking for six (6) weeks.

The workers’ forceful action led to poll being set for Old Year’s Day 1975 to determine recognition. The change of the SPA’s stance,it was felt, was linked to the changing political climate and the prevailing situation in the country. The results of the poll vindicated GAWU’s claim that it had the overwhelming support of the sugar workers. Of the 21,655 votes cast by workers, the MPCA ignominiously received 376, or 1.71 per cent; 92 votes, or 0.42 per cent, were deemed spoilt; and GAWU deservedly obtained 21,487 votes, or 97.87 per cent of the votes. The poll was history making.

Continued in the next edition

GAWU disagrees with BBCI to change workers’hours of work

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has approached the GAWU to amend the hours of work of the company’s employees engaged in the maintenance department.

The concerned workers, among other things, are responsible for the Bridge’s retraction to allow the safe passage of ships.

The retraction schedule is contingent on the high tide, to ensure that the channel is sufficiently deep to allow ship to traverse.

At this time, the workers are required to work from 07:30h to 16:30h. However, depending on the high tide, they may be required to reach to work earlier or to work later to facilitate the retraction process and are paid the appropriate premium pay. The Company, through its proposal, is seeking to amend the workers, hours-of-work so as to allow the workers workday to coincide with the retraction schedule. If the Company’s proposal is implemented, the workers will still be required to come out early or go home late, depending on the tide, but will not earn any premium pay.

The Union and the workers, at a meeting held with the BBCI recently, have rejected the proposal, pointing out, among other things, that the Collective Labour

Agreement (CLA) between the Union and the BBCI clearly sets out their hours of work. The workers have also noted that they would be required to still exert additional efforts to reach to work early or to work later, which at times would entail them incurring extra costs to reach to work, since public transportation is not available. They said that the loss of earnings would harm them and their families, as their lives have been structured around their current take home pay. Should this be slashed, as the Company is seeking to do, it would require them to make hard and difficult choices in refashioning their lives to suit their pay. The Company, for its part, has said it wishes to engage the workers on the matter with a view to having a change of heart. However, the workers have indicated that they remain firm in their position.

The GAWU has been the bargaining agent of the 60-person workforce of the BBCI for several years now. The BBCI is responsible for the operations of the Berbice Bridge, which spans the Berbice River. The bridge measures approximately 1.5 kilometres.

PAGE TEN

Boysie Ramkarran - a true workers leader

This year, as we observe the milestone of the centennial anniversary of trade unionism in Guyana and we re-collect the many obstacles that the working-class has overcome in the last 100 years, we are also reminded of the many trade unionists who played each a critical role in the achievements we proudly celebrate today.

One of those well-tested and outstanding leaders was Cde Boysie Ramkarran whose 100th birth anniversary will be celebrated on April 22, 2019.

Cde Ramkarran, as history records it, had a remarkable career as a trade unionist. His first contact with the workers’ movement came in the latter 1930’s when he was among the founding members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Cde Ashton Chase, in his renowned History of Trade Unionism in Guyana: 1900 – 1960, noted that at that time the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) was the biggest government department, employing the largest number of workers in the then British Guiana. During Cde Ramkarran’s association with the TWU, the Union realized several gains for the workers. One of the prominent struggles of the Union during Cde Ramkarran’s time was what has become known as the Teare Strike.

In February, 1948, workers of the T&HD took strike action to protest acts of victimisation against workers by the general manager of the T&HD, Colonel Robert Teare, an Englishman. Teare behaved like a tyrant, showed no respect for the workers’ trade union, and imposed harsh discipline on the employees. He also dismissed a number of workers, among whom was Cde Ramkarran. The workers, fed up by the actions of Teare, took protest action which effectively crippled COMBAT March/April, 2019

railway and ferry services.

Subsequently, a commission appointed by Governor Woolley investigated the causes of the strike, but while it did little to admonish Teare, it recommended that the dismissed workers must be reinstated. Teare, shortly after, departed for Bermuda, where he was offered a job to manage that island’s railway service.

Another important gain during Cde Ramkarran’s relations with the TWU was the checkoff arrangement – a system by which union dues are by consent deducted by management from the workers’ earnings and paid over to the Trade Union.

Cde Ramkarran became later a member of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which evolved to become the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). He was subsequently elected as the Party’s Treasurer. In the 1957 elections, Cde Ramkarran contested the Demerara-Essequibo constituency, which he won and was appointed as Minister of Communications and Works in the PPP Government. During his stint as a Minister, like in the TWU, he contributed to several remarkable achievements, and under his watch many previously unpaved roads were paved and works towards what is now known as the MMA/ ADA scheme began. Today, several of the projects initiated under Cde Ramkarran’s leadership as a Minister still stand and contribute positively to the country and its people.

Following the removal of the PPP from Government by the mid-1960s, Cde Ramkarran returned to the trade union movement, an area of life in which he had strong roots and was most passionate about. In 1974, he became the General Secretary of GAWU. His assumption to the post came at a most critical time for the Union, which was waging a sustained battle for recognition on behalf of the field and factory workers in the sugar industry. That struggle, which was at that time being pursued for sometime saw workers taking protest action as they demanded that the sugar barons recognize GAWU as their bargaining agent. Sustained protests by the workers saw them in 1975 taking several consecutive weeks of strike action as they heightened their demands. The Government of the time, recognising the workers’ vehemence, approved the conduct of a poll, which saw the workers overwhelmingly supporting their Union – GAWU.

Cde Ramkarran’s knowledge and experience also played a great role in the subsequent negotiation of the Recognition and Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement between the GAWU and the then Sugar Producers Association (SPA).

Given his several years in the TWU and his association with the struggles of the Union, he used his knowledge to ensure that the best possible agreement was hammered out. That agreement, which stands to this day and offers several protections to the workers, is testimony to his intellect and the commitment Cde Ramkarran had to the workers of Guyana. Undoubtedly, it must have been a proud moment for him when, on February 27, 1976, he had to append his signature to the agreement which he had a hand in finalizing.

As Cde Ramkarran closed the chapter on the struggle for GAWU’s recognition, he and the Union continued to face major challenges as they sought a fair deal for the productive and hard-working sugar workers, who, during the era of Company Unionism, had many of their conditions and concerns not given due attention, or even disregarded. Almost immediately after recognition, a new struggle for equality and fairness began as the GAWU and the workers, under Cde Ramkarran’s leadership, staged a 135-day strike after the then newly-established GuySuCo in 1977 refused to pay workers profit-share for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976. The issue had its origin in the imposition of the sugar levy in 1974, when the industry was owned by foreign companies. The union since then had insisted that the levy should have been applied only on income remaining to the sugar producers after the workers had received their share of the profits based on the collective agreement on profit-sharing. This issue continued to boil after the sugar industry was nationalised, and GAWU continued to raise it with GuySuCo. The 135-day strike was marked by widespread police harassment. More than 130 activists of GAWU were arrested on

flimsy excuses, and most of them were charged for intimidation. Also, some 6,000 scabs to take the places of the striking sugar workers were utilised. Most of these new workers and “volunteers” had no knowledge of the arduous demands of cane cutting. The strike ended on January 05, 1978 when GAWU announced that it was calling it off. The union praised the militancy of the sugar workers, saying that in their struggle against GuySuCo and the government they “came out with their heads held high and seven feet tall”.

It was indeed a trying time for the Union but with the leadership of Cde Ramkarran and other GAWU leaders, the Union stood up militantly in the workers defence. It was yet another demonstration of Cde Ramkarran’s sterling contribution to the sugar workers’ struggle and the advancement of their rights.

During the subsequent years, GAWU, under Cde Ramkarran’s leadership, continued its work in realizing new conditions and rights for the nation’s sugar workers. It was a period that was not without challenge, and saw several remarkable battles of the sugar workers, who stood up as they defended their livelihood, demanded their fair share of the pie, and raised their voices against the democratic and constitutional transgressions. The GAWU, in the era of Cde Ramkarran, accomplished much, and his lessons and traits still remain with the Union. They serve as guiding light as we face up to our now-a-day realities, and his work remains an inspiration as we seek a better tomorrow. As we recall Cde Ramkarran on his centennial birth anniversary, we remember what former President Janet Jagan’s wrote about him. Cde Janet said, “Ramkarran, who was so absolutely humble, never beat his own drums.

He was excessively modest and seemed to want to be unnoticed, but it was hard not to notice him because of his utter honesty, integrity and loyalty”. Indeed, this is a fitting description of this genuine leader of the workers.

GAWU not daunted...

Continued from page twelve (12) And isn’t it unfair too to send home 7,000 sugar workers, plunging them, their families and their communities into misery without any social safety net? We recall a senior Government leader, a few years ago, saying that “zero was an insult” and that we should “light a candle for sugar workers”. Today, shouldn’t we all be lighting candles as the Government imposes not only insult, but injury on the sugar workers?

The GAWU hastens to wonder why the “observers” would want to seek to denigrate the GAWU standing up for its members. Is it a case that our work has gotten under the not-so-thick skin of some people, who are embarrassed when they are obviously exposed? Whatever is the motivation, the GAWU will not be daunted, but remains committed to ensure that equality and social justice prevails.

PAGE ELEVEN

GAWU conducts safety and health training seminars in observance of OSH Month

Above: Attendees at the April 17 seminar, and below: attendees at the April 10 seminar

The month of April has been set aside as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month. During the month, focused attention is paid to matters concerning OSH, and there are several activities organized to raise awareness, educate the public about OSH matters, to discuss challenges, and to examine new developments in this area.

In observing the month, the GAWU organized two (2) one-day seminars on April 10 and 17 at the GAWU Labour College. The seminars had an aggregate attendance of sixty-two (62) participants, who were drawn from among the union’s membership of Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates; Caricom Rice Mills, Noble House Seafoods Limited, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), Amazon Caribbean (Guyana) Limited, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC), and the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). Through the training sessions, the participants were introduced to general concepts regarding OSH, and given a brief overview of the safety and health practices at the workplace. They were also apprised about the rights of employees and employers

through the Occupational Safety and Health Act, facilitated by the Department of Labour.

Participants also benefitted from sessions regarding the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act and the role of the Shop Steward. There was also a session regarding the functioning union branches and the conduct of branch meetings. Participants felt that the seminars were most useful, and they shared that they are better informed of their rights and their obligations. They also advised that they are more aware of practices which engender safe work environments, and the necessity of being careful and cautious at the workplace.

The GAWU is committed to educating its membership about their rights and responsibilities. We are of the firm view that it is only through education that the Union and its membership can be able to face up successfully to challenges and difficulties that will rear their head from time to time. Our commitment to workers’ education is manifested in the construction and operation of the GAWU Labour College, which has trained hundreds of workers since it opened its doors in 2010.

GAWU not daunted by those who spread patent falsehoods

Our Union saw, in the April 17 Kaieteur News, a letter titled “The GAWU/ PPP relationship is unhealthy” under the hand of “Local Observers”. The letter, can only be seen as yet another futile attempt to tarnish our Union’s efforts and work in the interest of our membership and workers generally. Through the letter, the author/s choose to make several baseless and unsubstantiated statements in an obvious effort to sully the GAWU’s name and reputation.

The author/s begins by advancing that our Union encouraged the recent picketing by the Uitvlugt cane cutters. Our Union stands with the Uitvlugt workers, who in our view should not have been treated the way they were. In fact, for the “observers” information, discussions following the workers’ protest actions saw the rationale/s advanced by the Union being accepted and a commitment being made to ensure that adequate work is provided to the cane cutters, once all things are equal. Certainly, a rational mind would find it an injustice to wake up in the early-morning hours to reach to work, only to be told that there is no work available, especially when earnings are required to feed mouths and send children to school, among other things.

We see the “observers” charging that our Union is an arm of the PPP. This, as the GAWU has, pointed out on several occasions, is blatant falsehood. Our Union is an independent organization that has its own Constitution and leadership elected regularly through Congresses.

The GAWU, has on several occasions, demonstrated its independence. Those facts are there for even the casual observer to see. We wonder how is it that the author/s didn’t recognize this fact, considering he/she/they said they visited our website. On this matter, the GAWU re-

gards itself as a mass-based organization, and probably has among its membership workers who are supportive of all political organizations in our country. We respect our members’ right in this regard, and therefore we are not aligned to any political organization.

The “observers” allege that our Union remained silent on the sugar industry during the PPP time in office. Of course, this again is a figment of the authors’ imagination. The GAWU, during the respective PPP/C administrations, raised its voice and expressed concern. To suggest otherwise, as the author/s sought to do, is to be disingenuous, in our view.

The author/s also says that our Union is probably too critical of the Government.

But must the GAWU remain mute and blind when the GuySuCo, undoubtedly with the blessings of the Administration, perpetuates assault after assault on the sugar workers? That is not in GAWU’s DNA and we remain committed to safeguarding and furthering the interest of our members. Our Union will not remain silent, and will continue at every opportune moment to draw attention to the plight and circumstances of the workers the GAWU represents.

The author/s says the Government “… wonder why they are being hit unfairly from all sides”. We wonder whether the “observers” fully contemplated what he/ she/they were saying. While we aren’t specifically aware of what is meant by “all sides”, from the GAWU’s perspective, we are morally and duty-bound to speak-up and speakout. In terms of the perceived unfairness, isn’t it unfair to deny sugar workers, a section of the State employees, no pay rise since 2015? Isn’t it also unfair to suspend benefits and ignore long-standing norms and practices?

Continued on page eleven (11)

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: INFO@GAWUGY.COM WEBSITE: WWW.GAWUGY.COM