Issue#:6 Volume#: 34
Combat Voice of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)
November/December, 2013
Editorial:
Happy Christmas? Welcome 2014! Guyanese, whether Christians or not, seem easily caught up in the spirit and varied activities of the Festival of Christmas. Granted the commercialism threatens to overwhelm the message of hope and aspiration that the biblical birth of the Baby Jesus promised, the significance of the universality of a lasing Gift of Redemption always prevails, and sustains a huge segment of mankind. Combat and GAWU also experience the joys manifested by the working-class population of Guyana. Workers and their families find resources, no matter how meagre, to renovate, to brighten; even to re-build their homes and communities as one year ends and another one beckons. “Happiness” can have many manifestations at Christmas time – the made-over homes, the charitable spirit which the greatest gift inspired, the staff parties, the food, entertainment, and New Year’s welcome. Should this joy and camaraderie not be present throughout any given year? Perhaps we should spare a moment to contemplate why this is not always the case. As the Christian community utters its prayers for Mary’s Gift of Hope, they must wonder at the impediments in years like 2013. We, the citizens, deserve much better from whomsoever we voted for. Again, Combat would suggest that the Trade Union Movement, as part of civil society, should be invited to be some type of third party broker/arbitrator to mediate compromise and progress on these national issues, which seem to bedevil our politicians continuously. So, throughout and beyond our prolonged yuletide festivities, Combat hopes that the spirit of giving would be transposed to the politicians and managers of our economy in terms of treating both investors and employers and workers commensurably with the production they give to their country. Between January and March, 2014, Guyana has to satisfy Caribbean monitors in regard to compliance with Money Laundering laws. Failure would bring financial chaos to every stratum of Society. We would also be pleased to hear about the 2014 National Budget. it is so obvious what all citizens, including workers and their families, would want. They would want common sense, constitutional acquiescence and economic relief, so that peace would prevail and their quality of life would improve and be sustained. Surely, the above is not beyond our leaders and representatives. Put nation before party and self! Combat uses the Hope of Christmas time 2013 to believe that GAWU’s members and the whole of Guyana would be the beneficiaries of good sense and good governance in 2014. Best wishes to all! COMBAT: November/December, 2013
GAWU’s Christmas Message Christmas, oh Christmas! Fundamentally, a Christian Festival, this “season” has, for decades, been embraced by a massive portion of Guyanese – from colonial times to the present era. The Muslim, the Hindu, the Buddhist, the Rastafarian, every type of believer finds some way to participate in this festival, sometimes without actually wanting to do so. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) itself participates with the Christian community and all Guyana in this celebration of hope. Whether it is the three National Holidays, the urge to re-decorate, to share gifts and charity with the less fortunate; appreciating the special music and decorations, foods and imagery of the season, GAWU and virtually every section of society are willingly caught up. However, festivities aside, this end of year celebration should be used by our leaders to contemplate renewal. As a New Year looms, Christmas can also be used to review the negative trends of the concluding year, the unnecessary disunity of purpose and the several lost op-
portunities for a unified nation-building. In a year that saw continued Parliamentary impasse; too much acrimony in the media, bordering on gutter journalism that set poor examples internally and sent wrong signals to interested but concerned outsiders, and the absence of the much-needed spirit of compromise, Guyanese were bound to be disappointed with their elected representatives. A simple Christmas Wish must come true. In this 2014 Season of Peace and Goodwill, therefore, GAWU enjoins Guyanese to send their representatives messages of advice, to welcome the New Year with genuine trust and willingness to concede in the interest of patriotic progress. The best Christmas Gift for 2013, from GAWU’s perspective, is that there be national consensus for Peace and Progress in 2014, from January New Year’s Day. A Happy and Divine Christmas A Hopeful and Successful New Year Page One
FITUG pays tribute to Nelson Mandela The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins with the world, and especially all South Africans, in mourning the passing of the South African leader and hero, Comrade Nelson Mandela. Comrade Mandela’s work and actions inspired many freedom fighters in South Africa and beyond. In his lifetime, he suffered a long and brutal incarceration, but he never became embittered and revengeful. He devoted his life to fight for the Africans. He fought against colonialism and imperialism, but this struggle transcended the world. For his stand for National Liberation and against Apartheid, he was incarcerated for twenty-seven (27) years of his life. Most of his years of imprisonment were served in the infamous Robben Island prison. Shortly after his release from prison, he was elected to be President, making him the first democratically elected President of South Africa. During his mandate as head of the African National Congress (ANC)-led Government,
South Africa became one of the countries that embraced a democratic culture, and the prestige of the country grew in the world. His tireless fight for human rights around the world, and especially in Africa, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. His struggle has been a reference for peace in many countries. The world’s working class, the poor, the dispossessed, those languishing in the ghettos of the world and those who today live with apartheid, have a great debt to Mandela, and will find in his life story great inspiration. His fight was not in vain. His examples and his works will certain serve to strengthen all of us who today strive for a better world. We have lost one of the most significant personalities of the struggle for a different world which highly values social justice, equality, human rights, world peace and is without capitalist exploitation and racism. Mandela will continue to be present in our struggles, and will remain to the world a timeless example for the working class and of freedom and full human dignity.
BEV workers get G$13.6M year-end bonus payments On November 18, 2013, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union and BEV Processors Inc agreed to the payment of thirteen million six hundred thousand dollars ($13.6M) as year-end bonus to the Company’s 347 employees. The bonus is greater than the Company’s bonus in 2012. Apart from the bonus, each employee is to
GAWU and GuySuCo reach API agreement
receive a sum of four thousand dollars ($4,000) for the purchase of a hamper. The bonus payment emanated from an earlier understanding between the Union and the Company that such payment, as was done in the past, would promote a lot of good will. The workers were pleased with the payment.
GAWU and GuySuCo in negotiations on December 13, 2013
Agreement on the quantum of days’ pay as Annual Production Incentive (API) for this year (2013) has been reached between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) following two (2) meetings held on December 10 and 13, 2013. Qualified sugar workers will enjoy an award of five (5) non-taxable days’ pay. Arising from the Corporation’s financial position, workers would receive their payments in two (2) tranches, on January 03 and March 14, 2014, of three (3) and two (2) days’ pay respectively. The Union, by letter dated November 18, 2013, asked the Corporation to make an award of 6.8 days’ pay on the production of 201,000 tonnes sugar or alternatively, for every 29,500 tonnes sugar produced, one (1) day’s pay. Follow-up telephone calls proved futile in getting the Corporation to the bargaining table. The Union at last, dispatched a strongly worded letter to the Corporation on December 06, 2013, and that
persuaded GuySuCo to meet the Union on December 10, 2013. At that meeting, the Corporation ridiculously announced that it could not award any incentive payment. GuySuCo’s position was vociferously objected to by the Union’s 50-odd-person delegation. The Corporation’s announcement drove workers to engage in a one (1)-day strike on December 11, 2013. Out of serious discussions and some compromises by both parties, the agreement was reached. For the quantum of every 37,000 tonnes of sugar, a day’s pay has been awarded. As at December 13, 2013, the industry produced for the year 185,811 tonnes sugar, thus the award at that point in time is 5.02 days’ pay. However, the Union’s delegation from the estates, in support of the educational work at the Union’s College, which is so beneficial to all union members, agreed for the Union’s College to receive the fractional day’s pay, expected to be about 0.05 day’s pay when the crop ends on December 20, 2013.
Noble House employees satisfied with 2013 bonus The approximate 300-person workforce at Noble House Seafoods Limited (NHSL) benefitted from a year-end bonus totalling $12.9M resulting from an agreement reached on December 12, 2013 between the Company and the Guyana Agricultural and General
Workers Union (GAWU), Each worker received an average of G$42,000. The expectation of the Company’s workers to obtain the bonus was high, and therefore they are pleased with the outcome of the Union/Company agreement.
“Capitalist barbarism, crisis and Imperialist wars, or Socialism” COMBAT: November/December, 2013
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Sugar workers get four (4) per cent wage/salary hike
291 trained at GAWU Labour College in 2013
The GAWU Labour College GAWU representatives from the various estates signing the agreement
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) inked an agreement, countersigned by Chief Labour Officer, Cde Charles Ogle, paving the way for a four (4) per cent wage/salary hike retroactive to January 01, 2013. The agreement followed five (5) engagements at the bilateral level and two (2) at the conciliatory level, beginning on June 04, 2013. The agreement also provides for improvements in allowances. Also, previously agreed, improvements for additional yearly issuance of personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers was included. At the commencement of the negotiations. GuySuCo strongly contended that it could not offer an increase as a result of its deleterious financial state, which had been worsened by what would turn out to be an extremely poor production this year, the lowest in twenty-two (22) years. The production is expected to be less than 190,000 tonnes sugar. According to the documentary information which the Union requested and received from the Corporation, the industry expects a loss this year of about G$6.1B. Additionally, the Company at the end of October, 2013 is indebted to its creditors and bankers by some G$10.8B. Since the Corporation did not make an offer at the first three (3) bilateral meetings, the Union on November 05, 2013 requested the Corporation to refer the wage/salary dispute to conciliation. The first conciliatory meeting was held on NoCOMBAT: November/December, 2013
vember 07, 2013 under the chairmanship of the Chief Labour Officer, Cde Charles Ogle. At the second conciliatory meeting, on November 10, 2013, the Corporation offered a one (1) per cent hike. The Union, recognizing at the second conciliatory meeting that the Corporation was not prepared to increase its one (1) per cent offer, requested a meeting with the Corporation’s Board. The request was approved, and the meeting with the Board was held on November 14, 2013. The Corporation’s Chairman, Dr Rajendra Singh, and two (2) other Directors, as well as the Corporation’s IR personnel, met the Union’s 40-person delegation. We pointed out that it was important for the Company to offer an increase to ensure that an adequate number of workers remained in the industry. We advised that the new Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017 would be affected if there were not enough workers in the industry. The Union also referred to the need to keep the pay rate competitive. The Union stressed the expectations of the workers and the need for an increase was also juxtaposed against higher levels of cost-of-living and the need for the maintenance of workers’ purchasing power. The Union’s forty-(40)-member negotiation team, comprising shop stewards from across the industry, unanimously approved the four (4) per cent rise in pay. In approving the agreement, the negotiating team took into account the interim Audited Statement of the Corporation for 2012 and the Management Accounts as at August 31, 2013 which indicated that the Corporation is in dire financial straits.
There were twelve (12) five-(5)-day residential courses which were successfully concluded at the College of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) with the involvement of 291 participants drawn from the seven (7) grinding estate of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Classes of a oneday duration were also conducted for union members employed at small enterprises/places. Since the inauguration of the College in 2010, its yearly work of disseminating workers’ education has been progressing satisfactorily. The Union hopes to persuade the Guyana
Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo), the overwhelming majoirity of whose workforce of approximately 17,000 persons are union members, to have its members undertake some sessions at the College during the five-day courses. Such an arrangement would be beneficial to the sugar industry in addressing work standards. Over the past years, the industry;s yearly sugar production has been plummeting, This year, 2013, the industry is desperately seeking to produce 190,000 tonnes. When the industry ceases harvesting canes for the year on December 20, 2013, whatever level of production is achieves would be the lowest in twenty-two (22) years.
DTL workers obtain retroactive 7 per cent wage/salary hike for 2013 Employees of the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) benefitted from a seven (7) per cent wage/salary hike retroactive to January 01, 2013, following an agreement reached between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Company. The workers struck one-day, on November 28, 2013, to enforce a settlement of their claim to a wage/salary increase of 10 per cent, which the Management countered with a 3 per cent offer. The strike was instrumental in causing the Chief Labour Officer to invite the representation of the Union and the Company to meet him with a view to resolving the dispute. There were four (4) separate sessions.
The workers are to receive their retroactive payment in two (2) tranches. The first payment will be made on December 20, 2013 and the second payment by the end of March, 2014. DTL is owned by the Prime Group, which is based in Singapore. The Company enjoys forest concessions from the State at Mabura Hill in Region 10, and at Siparuni in Region 2. The Company’s workforce is based at Mabura, where the Company provides housing, potable water and electricity. The Company, also operates a sawmill at Mabura which produces, from logs, construction materials for export. The Company also exports logs. Page Three
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FEAR OF SOCIALIST REVOLUTION
Media War Against Venezuela Continues d’etat”. Chileans know what this means because, before the coup that overthrew the unforgettable martyr of the Americas, President Salvador Allende, the opposition, with full support from the United States unleashed a terrible economic sabotage against Chile, with the aim, as the sinister Richard Nixon stated: “to make Chile scream”. And so it was.
Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and former President Hugo Chavez
by Maria Paez Victor Since the election of President Hugo Chávez in 1999, there has been antipathy and deliberate media distortion of the political events in Venezuela. The Toronto Star (newspaper that selfidentifies as liberal, broad thinking, progressive) published a defamatory article about the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro. Once again, the Canadian press goes on the attack against Venezuela, ridiculing and misrepresenting its president. And if at any time you thought that it was the personality of President Chávez that offended the world press, think again ;because all that media aggression now focuses on his successor, President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro is a tall, dark, handsome man, a good orator, intelligent and friendly, but he is not charismatic like Chávez. But who could possibly be like Chávez? He was a singularity. Maduro is the first to admit it, and so repeats that he is not Chávez. But with the slogan: “We are all Chávez”, he spurs solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution of his government. The Toronto Star is worried about inflation in Venezuela. But did it worry in the decade of the 1970s, when inflation jumped from 7.6% to 20.4%? Or did it think in the decade of the 80s when the COMBAT: November/December, 2013
average inflation rate was 19.4% until it reached 47.4% in the decade of the 90s? And what world newspaper or politician at that time forecasted with undisguised glee the ruin of the Venezuelan economy? None! Which newspaper denounced the immoral excesses – mistresses, drinking, fraud and corruption - of presidents Betancourt, Leoni, Caldera y Carlos Andrés Pérez? None! But now, President Maduro is ridiculed for his symbolic language and, curiously, I have just returned from Caracas, where I witnessed that there is social order; people go out Christmas shopping at shops full of products, all anticipating the season festivities. There is, however, strong political activity because of the coming municipal elections on December 8th. It is so good to see a population that is politically alert, not like Canadian elections, which seem to be done by sleepwalkers, due to the lack of confidence that erodes political participation there. Not so in Venezuela. The Communal Councils and the Communes are at the front of political activity. The government does not take a step without consulting them, and the participation of the communes in local projects is essential, as they are its initiators. Maduro has taken measures to combat what is called “ an economic coup
Venezuela has the advantage of learning from that experience, and Maduro has taken the offensive to control the economy, with strong measures which have proved to be very popular. His popularity was, however not in question. In October, he was considered the #1 most popular president in the Americas, according to a survey by the international news outlet NTN24 and by the ICS network. Corruption in the Venezuelan private sector works like this: It is an oil economy, the private sector is not the main sources of income, and instead of investing in their own country, the private sector prefers the comfort of importing, and depending on government largess. If Venezuela let the bolívar float in the international currency market, there would be a spectacular exodus of capital, because that class that believes it is “capitalist” is not. In truth, it is a bourgeois, parasitic, rentist class that produces nothing. The merchants obtain dollars from the government at a preferential price of 6.30 bolívares, supposedly because they are going to bring into the country imported goods, which is not always the case. They then sell those goods as if the dollars had cost them the price on the black market, which could be from 60 to 80 bolívares. Thus they make a profit of 200%, 300% even up to 1,500%. Normally, in capitalists countries, merchants can obtain a profit of about 15%; but not even the drug traffickers have profits like those of the corrupt Venezuelan merchants.
Maduro did what Chávez did not do. He got the troops out into the street to find hoarded goods in hidden warehouses, inspected the large commercial houses that obtained government dollars, compared prices, set fines, and even said there will be jail sentences if they do not comply. The business elite - which led the coup d’etat in 2002 - is a minority that considers itself privileged. It systematically commits fraud against the nation, obtaining and misusing dollars. They create artificial scarcity through hoarding, scandalously overpricing goods, practising usury, promotes capital exodus, and unleasheing rumours and lies to create panic and destabilize a government that is not convenient for their immoral avarice. The problem is not economic, it is political. The Venezuelan economy is doing very well. Its oil exports last year amounted to $94 billon, while the imports only reached $59.3 billon – a historically low record. The national reserves are at $22 billon and the economy has a surplus (not a deficit) of 2.9% of GDP. The country has no significantly onerous national or foreign debt. These are excellent indicators that many countries in Europe would envy, even the USA and Canada. So good is the economic future of Venezuela that even imperial banks recognize it. The multinational Wells Fargo bank has recently declared that Venezuela is one of the emerging economies that is most protected against any possible financial crisis, and the American Bank Merril Lynch has recommended to its investors to buy Venezuelan Government bonds. How sad that the Toronto Star should publish an article more appropriate to the sensationalist press. Its main sources were people from the United States who oppose Venezuela, and there was not a single source from the Venezuelan Government itself. I am sorry for the Canadian public, who are not allowed to form their opinions in a balanced manner, exposed as they are to a press that is sold out to United States hegemonic interests and does not even have a Canadian perspective on international affairs. Behind all this aggression against Venezuela is the fear of a successful socialist revolution that is so profoundly democratic that it shines and reveals the democratic deficit of the powerful capitalist nations. Page Four
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The Battle for Ukraine
By Stephen Lendman Ukraine matters. It’s strategically located, it’s in Europe’s geographic center, and it borders seven countries. After Western/Central Russia, it’s Europe’s largest country territorially. It’s resource rich. Zbigniew Brzezinski once said “Without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be an empire; but with Ukraine suborned and then subordinated, Russia automatically becomes an empire.” If Ukraine allies with Western Europe, Moscow would be significantly weakened geopolitically. The battle for Ukraine continues. Washington’s dirty hands are involved. Young militants were recruited and were paid to protest. Radical nationalists joined them. Ukraine’s future is at stake. Mixed reports have surfaced. President Viktor Yanukovych was quoted as saying: “We cannot talk about the future without talking about restoring trade relations with Russia.” At the same time, he repeated what he said earlier. He favours European integration. On December 10, Voice of Russia(VOR) headlined “Yanukovych approves plan to sign Ukraine-EU agreement in March 2014.” EU enlargement commissioner,Stefan Fule said the EU would offer “financial assistance programs to help Ukraine implement the agreement when signed.” IMF debt entrapment is planned; so are harsh mandates no country should accept. Popular interests are subordinated. Western corporate priorities come first. Most important is geopolitically separating Ukraine from Russia. Washington wants Russia increasingly isolated. Russia’s lower house State Duma approved a non-binding statement in which it accused Western nations of interfering in Ukrainian affairs. It said protesters were destabilizing the country and it urged Western countries to “stop mounting external pressure on the politics of a country that is brotherly to us.” Imagine if Russian and/or Chinese officials urged Americans to demand US policy changes. Imagine if they did it in WashCOMBAT: November/December, 2013
ington. Imagine if t h e y did in it front of Capitol Hill a n d / or the White House. Imagi n e h o w long it would t a k e before they were arrested, roughed up, detained, then expelled. Imagine Western broadsheet headlines denouncing their interference. Justifiable nonviolent protests continue in Bahrain and Egypt. Palestinians demonstrate often for long-denied justice. Protests are ongoing in Thailand. Ordinary people demand change in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Britain, France, Germany, other Western European nations, Brazil, Chile and elsewhere. They do it publicly en masse. The Western media largely ignore them. They support wealth, power and privilege. They abhor social justice. They endorse imperial wars. They back abhorrent political repression. They do so when America or its allies commit it. US Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, lawlessly interfered in Ukraine’s internal affairs. She met publicly with opposition leaders. So did EU officials. She and they joined street protesters. On December 10, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, issued a statement on Ukraine. It reflected imperial arrogance written large. He lied, saying: “The United States expresses its disgust with the decision of Ukrainian authorities to meet the peaceful protest in Kyiv’s Maidan Square with riot police, bulldozers, and batons rather than with respect for democratic rights and human dignity.” One day only Ukrainian police overreacted. For three weeks, they largely showed restraint. Kerry turned truth on its head. He supports Western ruthlessness worldwide. He fronts for US global dominance plans. He stopped short of explaining. NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Veershbow meddled disruptively in Ukrainian affairs. “Ukraine’s future lies with Europe,” he said. Western nations continue “follow(ing) Ukraine events with concern.” Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton denounced police efforts
to restore normalcy. They blamed them for Western-instigated disruptiveness. On December 11, Voice of Russia (VOR) headlined “Kiev metro closed over mass protests, 10 police officers injured while unblocking central streets.” Protesters are “led by opposition deputies.” They’re resisting State Emergency Service personnel and utility workers. Western propaganda is vicious. It’s unrelenting. It’s standard practice. It’s been ongoing since street protests began. Public sentiment is manipulated mischievously. It’s done to support wrong over right. Ukrainian authorities are blamed for acting responsibly. If they don’t confront street thugs, who will? On December 8, masked anti-government protesters toppled Vladimir Lenin’s statue in central Kiev. They did so with steel ropes. They smashed it with sledgehammers. They sang Ukraine’s national anthem. They hoisted Ukraine’s flag atop the empty pedestal. It was reminiscent of US forces toppling and destroying Saddam’s Firdos Square Baghdad statue in April 2003. Doing so symbolized imperial triumph. Iraqis continue suffering horrifically. They live in a virtual war zone. On December 10, RT headlined ”From Russian invasion to colored Statue of Liberty: Hoaxes fuel Ukrainian protest.” Fake videos and other fabricated images are commonplace. Washington uses them often. They manipulated public sentiment against Saddam, Gaddafi and Assad. They turn truth on its head. Putin-bashing is relentless. He’s assailed for his outspokenness. He opposes Washington’s imperialist agenda. He’s vilified for his anti-war advocacy. He continues going all out to resolve Syria’s conflict peacefully. He’s waging a lonely struggle. He supports Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. He’s despised for advocating multipolar world policies. Edward Lucas is The Economist’s international editor. On December 10, he headlined a Wall Street Journal op-ed, “How the West Lost Ukraine to Putin.” He has big aims, said Lucas. They’re “audacious.” His “ex-KGB regime (wants) to restore the Russian empire.” EU expanding “east was one of its greatest achievements. (T)he so-called EU-8 of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia represent some of the Continent’s most striking success stories.” Their sovereignty was co-opted. Their populations were exploited for profit. Their economies are largely troubled. Some are basket cases. Future prospects are grim. Ordinary people endure extreme hardships. Corporate predation works this way. Lucas didn’t explain. lies were substituted for the truth. He claims
EU membership offers genuine benefits. Former Soviet republics “truly wanted to reform, modernize and integrate with the West,” he said. “Their governments and people alike realized that joining the EU was the only way to do it. And nobody was (going) to stop them.” Russia “ma(de) (Yanukovych) and his country an offer they could not refuse.” Details “are still unfolding.” They’re the polar opposite to EU terms. They feature carrots, not sticks. They offer benefits America and EU nations deplore. According to Lucas, EU membership “offers free trade.” Harsh structural adjustments bring “benefits later, and easier visas.” Lucas claimed Yanukovych’s 11th hour decision against an EU alliance “left EU officials baffled.” They don’t understand Russian policy, he added. It “needs a geopolitical hinterland (of) economically weak and politically pliable” countries, he claimed. He turned a blind eye to longstanding Western financial war at home and abroad. Economies are wrecked for profit. Populations are ruthlessly exploited. America wants all countries treated the same way. So do key EU partners. They want monied interests served above all others. Don’t expect Lucas to explain. He supports their worst policies. Ukraine dodged a bullet by avoiding them. It did so provided Yanukovych doesn’t accept going forward with what he rejected. Not according to Lucas. “(I)f Ukraine falls into Russia’s grip,” he said, “then the outlook is bleak and dangerous.” Doing so, he claimed, means “crony capitalism triumphed.” Europe’s “security will be endangered.” “NATO is struggling to protect the Baltic states and Poland from the integrated and increasingly impressive forces of Russia and Belarus.” “Add Ukraine to that alliance, and a headache turns into a nightmare.” Putin deplores militarism. He advocates peace, not war. He wants cooperative relations with all other countries. He doesn’t seek confrontation. NATO is a killing machine. It’s a US-led imperial alliance. It seeks global expansion. It’s a force for evil, not good. It threatens world peace. Stop NATO editor Rick Rozoff calls it “the first attempt in history to establish an aggressive global military formation.” Its existence threatens humanity’s survival. Lucas calls getting tough on Russia the “best way (for) Europe or America (to) help Ukraine.” Yanukovych’s best choice it turning East, not West. It’s the best way to turn around Ukraine’s troubled economy. It’s how best to serve all Ukrainians responsibly. Don’t expect Lucas and likeminded ideologues to explain. They endorse imperial lawlessness. They support the worst of corporate predation. Page Five
Giving, Receiving, Sharing
- FITUG’s Christmas Message
throughout the periods of its modern history – from the dreadful days of slavery to now, December, 2013. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), itself representatives of thousands of Christians through its affiliates, wishes the Christian community and all Guyana the traditional “Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year”. But FITUG knows fully well Masquerade bands such as the one pictured above are usually found frolicking through the that the “happiness” and streets of Georgetown and other areas during the Christmas Season prosperity must be produced and earned by all, It’s that all-embracing, pervasive festival of Christmas leaders and followers alike. again. Because the Christian Story of Nativity packs Christians regard the Virgin Birth as the Word being the universal message of Hope, as well as it is a pillar of the Christian Faith, this year-end extended celebra- made flesh to walk amongst man. That Greatest Gift, tions resonates amongst all sections of Guyanese society they say, must now inspire genuine giving, receiving and
sharing. Let the season inspire rational give and take, the receiving of what is due to every citizen in terms of the sharing of the nation’s resources equitably. FITUG knows of the determination of the most humble to participate in this Christian tradition. The origins of the Baby Jesus tale tell of a Divine Son being born to working-class parents in the most Spartan conditions in Bethlehem. The dispossessed, then, must take heart in this season, as they can relate to Joseph, Mary, the Stable and the Divine Virgin Birth. It is for the leaders of the poor - indeed, of the entire nation - to strive to manage our resources, external assistance and future prospects to the benefit of all. FITUG views the New Year through a working-class leans. Dare we see healing, good sense and statesmanship flowering from January, 2014? Let this December and the January of 2014 be the longoverdue lighthouse of improved unity for national development. Give Guyanese the ultimate Christmas gift of Hope for a Happy Future. Happy Holidays from FITUG!
SILWFC workers get 8 per Employees’ initiative brings additional $$$ for Rose cent salary hike for 2013 Hall Estate
GAWU General Secretary, Cde Seepaul Narine, along with shop stewards, receives a copy of the signed agreement from Senior Labour Officer, Cde Karen Vansluytman
The employees of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) received an eight (8) per cent increase in their salaries from January 01, 2013. Their Union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), and the Committee negotiated the Agreement at several meetings, and the parties signed the agreement on December 11, 2013. Besides the salary hike, which the entire workforce of eleven (11) fully endorsed, there were higher rates set for bicycle alCOMBAT: November/December, 2013
lowance, commuted travelling, shoe al- Canes being hoisted from punts at the Rose Hall Factory lowance, bursary awards and long service In the past years, bits of canes which fell Management of the Estate unhesitatingly awards. End-of-year bonus payments have also been upped for Senior Clerks into the waterway under the cane gantry approved the workers’ initiative. at Rose Hall Estate were left to rot and and other employees. At the beginning of the second crop, on SILWFC is a legal entity which assists decay. At the end of each cane-crop, the sugar workers with interest-free house rotted canes were removed by an excava- July 05, 2013, six workers, working two (2) per shift, began to retrieve the canes. and house-repair loans within stipulated tor and dumped. Up to December 07, 2013, 310 tonnes ceilings. It is also mandated to assist in Some workers represented to the Man- canes were retrieved which contributed the maintenance of proper internal roads and sanitation, especially in communities agement that the fallen canes should be some G$3M to the coffers of the Corporetrieved and instantaneously supplied to ration. where sugar workers reside. the factory for processing into sugar. The Page Six
GAWU Credit Union declares $16.2M in profits for 2012
Some of the members attending the meeting
The twentieth (20th) Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Society Ltd. Reg. # 2000 was successfully held on (Sunday) December 08, 2013 at GAWU Headquarters, 59 High Street and Wights Lane, Kingston, Georgetown. The gathering, comprising mainly the Society’s membership in the sugar belt, heard the report of the Com-
mittee of Management, which reviewed the work of the Society since its 19th AGM, which was held on November 25, 2012.
thousand, four hundred dollars ($3,252,400) was assigned to the Statutory Reserve Fund, and the sum of one million, six hundred and twenty-six thousand and two hundred dollars ($1,626,200) was allocated to the Audit and Supervision Fund, which is remitted to the Co-operatives Division of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. Both payments are by statutory requirements
The Report of the Auditor on the Society’s financial affairs for the calendar year 2012 was tendered. There was also the Report of the three-(3)-person Supervisory Committee.
By resolutions, the AGM approved nine million, one hundred and fifty-four thousand, five dollars ($9,154,005) as dividend; and two million, one hundred and forty thousand five hundred and one dollars ($2,140,501) as Interest rebate to members of the Society. The sum of eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety-three dollars ($88,893) was credited to the Social and Entertainment Fund.
The Audit Report, prepared by audit firm Parmesar at the instance of the Co-operative Division of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, disclosed that the Society realized a surplus of sixteen million two hundred and sixty-one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight dollars ($16,261,998) for year 2012. The sum of three million, two hundred and fifty-two
The new Management Committee elected to manage the Society’s business until the 21st AGM comprises Cdes Bevon Sinclair, Charles Cadogan, Harvey Tambron, Aslim Singh, Julius Nurse, Gaietri Baron, Sattie Basdeo, Richard DeFreitas, Bhikram Singh, Seepaul Narine and Rooplall Persaud. When the first meeting of the Management Committee is convened, the Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer of the Society would be elected. The AGM also elected Cdes Kavita Bishun, Hugh Caines and Narda Mohamed to serve on the Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee.
Billions needed for Sugar Industry recovery twenty-two (22) years. The poor performance of the colossal industry for successive years from the not-toodistant-past has registered telling blows on the industry itself. Large sums of money are owed to suppliers, bankers, agencies, Competitive The Enmore Packaging Plant, financed through the Accompanying etc. wage rates and Measures salaries so much When the current sugar crop is drawn to needed to retain a closure on December 21, 2013, none of an adequate workforce, are undermined. the sugar targets of 260,000 tonnes, the Importantly, intrinsic capital works are targeted production of 240,000 tonnes being shelved in the fields and factories. identified in the 2013 National Budget, It was recently disclosure that the Corand the two (2) revised targets of 203,000 poration approved a new Strategic Plan tonnes and 201,000 tonnes would have 2013 – 2017. Though not yet publicly been achieved. The industry, therefore, embraced by the Corporation, a copy would witness its lowest production for leaked in the press revealed that the inCOMBAT: November/December, 2013
dustry downed its ultimate sugar target of 450,000 tonnes to 350,000 tonnes by year 2017. The new plan, however, did not identify an important component the source/s which would fund billions of dollars so much required over a number of years for the capitalization of the industry. If the full disbursement of monies received from the European Union (EU) by way of Accompanying Measures are fully released to the industry, it would play a substantial part to satisfy the capitalization expenditure. The EU has been providing financial support to eighteen (18) African, Caribbean and Pacific countries following its arbitrary denunciation of the Sugar Protocol and the drastic cut by 36 per cent of the price for sugar imported by Europe from the ACP countries. The cut was staggered over a four-(4)-year period, beginning in 2006 with a 5 per cent slash; a 9 per cent reduction in 2008; and finally, a 22 per cent cut in 2009. The EU, in efforts to compensate the 18 ACP sugar producing
states for the price cut, has been providing aid, called “Accompanying Measures”, which required each country to submit Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategies (MAAS), better known as Sugar Action Plans, to the EU. Since the funding commenced, the Guyana Government obtained €91.5M or G$21.5B by the end of year 2011. It is known that the industry received from the Government, through the Accompanying Measures, the sum of €8M, or G$2.4B, which went towards the construction of the Enmore Packaging Plant. For 2012, the Government is to receive as much as €23.355M or G$5.4B from the EU. The sugar industry needs to be rejuvenated. It is significantly important to the economy and all Guyanese for it to continue in business with it seven (7) factories, the capitalization of the industry, its sound management, and the re-introduction of proper agronomic practices akin to those years when the industry’s yearly sugar production was outstanding. Page Seven
YEAR IN REVIEW 2013 in pictures
Observing the 49th Death Anniversary of GAWU Heroine, Kowsilla, on March 06, 2013
Celebrating Labour Day on May 01, 2013 in Georgetown
Observing the 65th Death Anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs on June 16, 2013
GAWU awarding bursaries to children of Union members who wrote the National Grade Six Examination on August 31, 2013
GAWU members join others to picket the US Embassy in Georgetown to denounce planned US miltary strikes on September 12, 2013
Members of the Union, along with others, observe WFTU International Action Day on October 03, 2013 in New Amsterdam, Berbice
COMBAT is a publication of the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) 59 High Street & Wights Lane, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana, S.A. Tel: 592-227-2091/2; 225-5321 , 223-6523 Fax: 592-227-2093 Email: gawu@bbgy.com Website: www.gawu.net