Issue#5Volume#: 35
Combat Voice of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)
Taking Stock – Community and Nation Swiftly, another year of this decade is hurtling to an end. At personal, community and national levels one is sometimes challenged to assess, or “take stock” of the situation with respect to resolutions kept, targets and projects achieved or completed, and to accurately measure the status of plans, programmes or projections contemplated at the start of the year. So swiftly do the days go by.
September/October, 2014
Production of 219,045 tonnes sugar illusive
The editorial team of Combat has endeavoured to apply journalistic standards consistently, even as we understand the role of this journal to be the voice and advocate of members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) first and foremost. Since, however, even GAWU, the largest bargaining agent in these parts, is not an island unto itself, and recognizing that all governmental, parliamentary and national events impact upon the lives of its members, both GAWU and Combat must consider the entire national context in which we find ourselves at this juncture of 2014. Government, Politics and living in 2014 Political action threw up a government in 2011. Constitutional guarantees ensured a PPP/C administration even though it has one (1) seat less than the combined Opposition Parties in the National Assembly. In the US such happenings are usual. President Obama’s Democratic Party hasn’t a majority in the House of Representatives, and the party’s majority in the Senate is threatened at the mid-term elections. The constitution guarantees, however, the functioning of the President and his Government. Taking stock of that situation, Combat can only conclude that our Parliament has been made a scrutineer and protagonist of national negativity. Crucial bills – from national estimates to money laundering legislation – have fallen victim to Opposition unrelated demands. Rancor and disagreement have ultimately led to a threatened strategic no-confidence motion intended to give the opposition certain levels of political leverage. This is being written a few days before the National Assembly expected to reconvene in October, 2014. It is left to be seen whether the Guyanese electorate will be thrust into pre-mature elections, thus shortening the full term granted to the incumbent PPP/C. continued on page two COMBAT: September/October, 2014
Wales Estate will end its crop in mid-November not being able to realise its 12,195-tonne sugar target
The second crop sugar production target of 139,050 tonnes this year is undoubtedly illusive. As at October 31, 2014, the targeted production should have been 132,306 tonnes sugar, however, but was merely 97,335 tonnes, which represents a shortfall of 41,715 tonnes, or about 26 per cent behind. Accepting that the present favourable weather for reaping cane holds, field workers generally resent working beyond the eve of the Christmas week, and thus there are about seven (7) possible weeks remaining in the crop as from the beginning of November, 2014. Will the seven (7) grinding estates be able to produce 41,715 tonnes sugar in this period? There is also the question of the available cane remaining for harvest. By mid-November, 2014, Wales estate will end its crop not realizing its target of 12,195 tonnes. Uitvlugt estate has embarked upon reaping some hectares of next crop canes and should attain its measly target of 7,587 tonnes sugar. The under-performance of the industry relates to the
non-availability of enough reapable and quality cane. Sucrose content in cane continues to decline and cane yields are extremely low. These are the main causes for extremely low tonne sugar per hectare of land. The Corporation is not managing to address the various agronomic issues which keep bedevilling productivity and sugar production over the years. This is the crux of the issue. Poor soil tillage, inadequate and untimely application of fertilizer to young and growing cane, uncontrolled weeds and vines between growing cane, improper drainage within the cane fields, water logging around cane stools, failure to adopt new high sucrose varieties, inadequate serviceable cane punts and bridges are all impacting on the industry which, according to its present potential, can produce about 400,000 tonnes sugar – a goal which the Corporation a few years ago declared it would have achieved last year (2013). Continued on back page Page One
Workers demand retroactive payments
GuySuCo needs to carefully use its scarce resources
GAWU and GuySuCo at negotiations
Following the approval on September 26, 2014 of a wage/salary agreement between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo), allowing for a four (4) per cent rise in wages and salaries retroactive to January 01, 2014, approximately 17,000 field and factory workers in the sugar industry are eager to receive their retroactive payments. The new rates of pay reflective of the four (4) per cent increase have been implemented with effect from October 05, 2014. However, the retroactive payment due from January 01 to October 04, 2014 is outstanding. The Corporation is bedevilled by low prices for its sugar export. Last year it re-
ceived about US$715 per tonne of sugar it sold to the European Union (EU), the price this year hovers between US$350 and US$450 per tonne depending upon the shipment period. The Corporation’s cane yield this year is also dismal, despite excellent weather conditions for favourable sucrose content. It is taking an average of nearly 13.5 tonnes of cane to produce a tonne of sugar (tc/ts) rather than about 11 tc/ts. The industry is also seeking desperately to achieve the year’s production target of 219,045 tonnes. At the end of October, 2014, it is yet to produce 41,721 tonnes of sugar. From all appearances, the target will be difficult to achieve.
Taking Stock – Community and Nation
continued from page one Spare a moment to “take stock” of what elections would mean: distraction from governance to promote national development; re-direction of resources – time, security forces, potential investments – from nation-building to electoral activity, with its uncertainties. Combat, as a responsible journal, appreciates constitutional provisions, but regrets that there are those bent on using them to disrupt progress for personal political agendas. GAWU, up to October, 2014, can point to its achievements on behalf of its members. These include signing of agreements with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), among other employers; the expansion of our membership to a new bargaining unit; continued educational work at our College, to name a few. GAWU has shared its views robustly COMBAT: September/October, 2014
with respect to the greatest bugbear the sugar sector has had to endure – the Skeldon factory. GAWU has pointed the way for the new GuySuCo Board to take. And Combat will maintain a constant spotlight in that regard. It seems most reasonable to feel that there will either be national and regional elections or local government elections, or both next year. We hope that our national observances of Diwali, Christmas, even Mashramani will assist our people to concentrate on the peace and harmony of the nation, amidst which development can continue. Political leaders and pretenders may have their agenda. Our people – including thousands of GAWU members – merely wish for continued employment, peace, security and personal well-being. Our children deserve no less. Combat will conclude our 2014 taking stock next edition.
TOP: the crossing bridge whose deck is to be demolished, BELOW: some of the canes which have been shoved off punts
The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) needs to carefully develop its design for its various projects. There is a crossing bridge which had been constructed in the cultivation of Skeldon Estate in the Manarabisi area a few years ago. The deck of the bridge is not high enough to allow fully laden cane punts to pass under. The bridge provides passage for canes reaped from about 500 hectares of the estate’s cultivation. Fully laden cane punts allow maximum utilization of the cane punts, but fully loaded punts cannot pass under the bridge loss of some of the
cane stalks, which are being shoved off the punts into the canal by the obstructing bridge deck. The Estate has now decided to adjust the bridge deck higher at a significant cost. This could have been avoided had the bridge design not been faulty in the first place. The Corporation must stop disposing of its scarce financial resources in an irresponsible way. Yours truly, Jaipaul Singh
“Capitalist barbarism, crisis and Imperialist wars, or socialism”
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GAWU pays tribute to Cde Navin
by Cde Komal Chand, President
challenges that any serious politician must inevitably face. Politically, over the years, Cde Navin was elected repeatedly to the higher echelons of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), positions he deserved for his activism and political astuteness – the qualities he richly displayed in his calling and work. After the elections of ’92, Cde Navin was called to serve in several areas of our country’s life, as a Minister of Government, as an advisor to the President, and on boards LEFT: Cde Navin at the opening of the GAWU Labour College in March, 2010, RIGHT: Cde Navin presenting a certificate to a partcipant at the conclusion of a various and committees. course His preference, it On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, after a Independent Trade Unions of Guyana of the deep and prolonged crisis which would appear, was his work and interest period of illness, Comrade Navin Chan- (FITUG). In recent years, Cde Navin the capitalist system has found itself in, in environment and sustainable developdarpal departed our ranks. The workers drew closer to our Union and the work- and which has brought on great hard- ment, fields to which, I am sure, he had lost a friend and a champion; for the pro- ers’ cause when he accepted an offer to be ships on the workers. much more contributions to make. While we, from the Union, have fond gressive forces, a place among their front- Principal of our Union’s Labour College. Today, as we pay our respects to an outline activists has now become vacant. The He served in this capacity from 2010 to and cherished recollections of Cde standing colleague and comrade, to a grief at his loss will be felt not only by 2011, but continued to offer his services Navin’s association with us, I believe his friend of the working-people, Cde Navin, his family, relatives and friends, but also to the College, even after he took on du- better contribution could be found in his one can say without contradiction, that by many of his comrades-in-arms who ties at the level of the state. During this social and political activism. he has discharged his responsibility to Navin grew up and matured in an envi- the country and to his Party admirably shared with him many struggles for bet- period, though brief, he played an importerment and a prosperous future for Guy- tant role in assisting to establish a cur- ronment when the struggle for freedom and with commitment. For us, we hold riculum for the College and proved to be had entered its final stage and when, soon the view that we must not allow such a ana. Cde Navin was a product of his times. an adept educator, a quality attested to by after ‘Independence’ was given, the PPP sterling contribution to be discontinued One thing that stands out for him is that the hundreds who took part in his classes found itself at the head of a nation-wide because Navin is no more physically with struggle for democracy. Clearly, Navin us. Indeed, let us cherish such rich memwhile many of his peers shied away from and workshops. Cde Navin recognized the important was one of the many of our young people ories let us continue along the trail he the demanding struggles that enveloped Guyana in his lifetime, Cde Navin chose role of education as an effective invest- who were moved to joining the struggles would have helped clear in his lifetime, the path of engagement and struggle. He ment through which workers would en- that were going on in our times. a trial blazed by the indomitable leader Navin became active in the PYO, the or- Cheddi Jagan. left a memorable record of personal in- hance their skills that would serve them volvement, a record worthy of emulation. well in their day-to-day work-life, and ganization in which we first met. This was On behalf of the General Council and His life’s record also shows that he was a which, at the same time, would serve to decades ago, and we were then youths the wider membership of the Guyana comrade with multi-dimensional inter- raise their awareness of world develop- driven and motivated by the ideals of Agricultural and General Workers Union ests, which ranged from being a graduate ments and current trends and issues. But freedom and democracy for our coun- (GAWU), and on my own behalf, I wish in physics to a youth leader, to a Govern- Navin’s links with the Union were by no try. Cde Navin in his youth and student to convey our condolences and deepest ment Minister, and lots of other respon- means limited to our classroom. More days became President of the University sympathies to Navin’s family, Cde Insibilities in between these. Cde Navin had importantly is his abiding interaction of Guyana Students Society, and later was dra his spouse; his children, Rabin and that rare attribute of being equally at ease with workers, their interests and con- catapulted to the position of First Secre- Geetajali; also to his other relatives and in an intellectual environment as with cerns, and he even on occasions partici- tary of the Progressive Youth Organisa- friends. the “grass roots” which his many pursuits pated, in several practical Union activi- tion (PYO). With Cde Navin’s departure, our counSignificantly, it was during this time - as try has lost an outstanding son. He ties and demonstrations. would often require him to do. Many of his peers will remember Navin Navin reminded us in a recent Mirror ar- served in different capacities, and served Comrade Navin had a long relationship with our Union, the Guyana Agricultural as a steadfast believer in, and a consist- ticle - that the PYO-UG group and Uni- with distinction. He will be missed very and General Workers Union (GAWU), ent advocate of, the Marxist-Leninist versity of Guyana Student Society took much by the people and by his comrades going back to around the 1980s, when he theory, which speaks to the liberation of up very actively the case of Dr Walter he worked with; as well as by the people served as a lecturer on various topics at the working-class from the shackles of Rodney who was seeking employment at he befriended. that institution. classes organized by our Union. We re- exploitation. From here on, fate and life by demands Cde Navin, the GAWU salutes you. May This working people’s connection concall he had also taken part in the education programmes sponsored by the Guy- firmed on one hand, and strengthened on combined to chart a course of a political you rest in peace. ana Public Service Union, the Critchlow the other, a world view which saw a so- future for Navin. And his endearing deLabour College, and the Federation of cialist future even moreso today in view meanor helped him overcome the several COMBAT: September/October, 2014
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Oxfam to G20: Take Action on Global Extreme Inequality As wealth gap widens even in rich countries, aid agency calls on G20 leaders to address crisis
by Nadia Prupis Ignoring rising inequality around the world risks trapping millions in poverty and stunting economic growth, Oxfam said on Tuesday. In a report released before the upcoming G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia, the aid agency called on world leaders to address the crisis by investing in public services and cracking down on tax havens for wealthy corporations, which costs poor countries $100 billion annually. Reducing income inequality could lift millions out of poverty in developing countries like Kenya, India, and Indonesia, according to the report, titled Turn the Tide: The G20 Must Act on Rising Inequality, Starting With Fairer Global Tax Reform “Inequality hinders growth, corrupts politics, stifles opportunity and
fuels instability,” it states. In the last year, total wealth in the G20 has increased by $17 trillion, but 36 percent of it—$6.2 trillion—belongs to the richest one percent of people on the planet, Oxfam said. Even as wealthy countries gather more and more wealth, over half of the world’s poor live in G20 countries—those considered to be economic global leaders. Those nations have pledged to raise the level of their output by at least two percent above the current five-year level projection, but Oxfam Australia chief Helen Szoke told Agence France Presse that promises of economic jump-starts and job creation are meaningless without “inclusive growth”—economic activity that benefits every sector of society. “The widening gap between rich and
poor is increasing... so inequality is becoming more pronounced,” Szoke said. “Inequality in and of itself is problematic for those people who are left behind, but we also know that you can’t actually achieve growth unless you address this issue of inequality.” According to the report, “if G20 countries do not move to strategies that promote inclusive growth, there is growing evidence that they risk damaging the prospects for sustainable economic growth, not to mention ignoring the injustice of social and economic inequality.” One current example of the consequences of wealth inequality: is the Ebola crisis. Without a stable health infrastructure, countries in West Africa are unable to stop the virus from spreading rapidly. As Dr. Margaret Chan, head of the
World Health Organization, explained in a speech at a September conference, “The rich get the best care. The poor are left to die... Ebola has been, historically, geographically confined to poor African nations. The R&D incentive is virtually nonexistent. A profit-driven industry does not invest in products for markets that cannot pay.” It is the obligation of wealthy countries to actively fight the crisis, Oxfam says in its report. “As major players on the world economic and political stages, G20 leaders have a crucial role to play in the global efforts to combat Ebola in West Africa, both in terms of mobilizing an extraordinary outlay of resources, effort and political will; and, in the longer term, providing greater funding for health systems in some of the world’s poorest countries, to ensure these types of crises cannot take hold again,” it states. “The G20 cannot ignore Ebola, because Ebola is the symbol of what happens when there is stark social and economic inequality, where you don’t have the social protections and public infrastructure to deal with what is a containable disease,” Szoke said. “When Ebola has occurred in other countries, like Uganda, it has been able to be contained.” Closing the inequality gap will also require G20 countries to acknowledge the gender gap, which is intrinsically linked, the report states. Recognizing unpaid care of family members as work and guaranteeing equal political representation and fair living wages in the workplace is “a welcome first step.”
Ebola Virus Deaths Facilitated by Imperialism - WFTU
Cuban medical personnel about to leave to Africa to treat Ebola patients
The World Federation of Trade Unions expresses is concerned over Ebola epidemic that has struck mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea of West Africa and threatens the entire world has killed COMBAT: September/October, 2014
thousands of people and caused panic to millions of others. As high level officials of the World Health Organization confess, the epidemic has severely expanded over the
last weeks and 70 per cent of the people affected die because of the lack of proper healthcare facilities. This epidemic brings in the forefront in the most tragic way the chronic and deep wounds in the African continent by colonialism, by the continuous plundering of the wealth-producing resources and by the high public debts that keep African states and their economies enslaved to the IMF, the World Bank and other such institutions. Crucial and chronic problems facilitating the Ebola epidemic are: poverty, the malnutrition, the lack of basic healthcare infrastructure and social welfare, the limited access to a system of public and free Education and the slums that continue to be a danger to public health. State budget cuts in the funding of public institutions in the field of research,
pharmaceutical production and healthcare in the USA and the European Union are aggravating the problems. It is very clear, as in the case of Ebola, that as long as research, production and healthcare are influenced by profits people will be suffering from diseases that should have long been eradicated or adequately controlled. Furthermore, in complete contrast to the the USA and Britain which have ceased the opportunity to send new troops in Africa, the WFTU feels the need to congratulate the heroic decision of the Cuban Government and the Cuban people to show in the most humanitarian way their solidarity to the people of Africa by sending a large group of doctors and medical personnel in order to assist in the efforts for the relief of the Ebola patients. Page PageFour Two
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Kiev escalates war in eastern Ukraine
A Ukrainian outside the rubble of his home, destroyed during recent clashes between Ukrainian separatist forces in Ilovaysk
By Christoph Dreier In recent times, fiercest fighting in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk have been occurring since the signing of a ceasefire agreement at the beginning of September. The military offensive by the Kiev regime is being accompanied by stepped-up threats against Russia by NATO countries. Eyewitnesses reported heavy artillery fire from areas controlled by Kiev forces as well as separatist positions. Donetsk Airport was the scene of bloody battles. The Minsk Agreement had ceded the airport to the separatists, however, soldiers loyal to Kiev refused to withdraw and are daily engaged in heavy fighting with the rebels. According to the separatists, Ukrainian army tanks are advancing towards Donetsk. Two tanks were reportedly destroyed by rebels in an attack on the village of Nikichino. Separatist forces accused the Ukrainian army of bombing residential areas and using incendiary devices. In a report, Human Rights Watch confirmed the use of such bombs in previous fighting in the Donetsk region. Many civilians have fallen victim to the attacks. In the last week, two teenagers were killed in the shelling of a school. According to the rebels, at least twelve civilians were killed in an attack on the village COMBAT: September/October, 2014
of Frunze near Luhansk. The Kiev regime and its supporters in Washington accuse Russia of sending tanks and other military equipment across the border to strengthen the separatist organizations. Various correspondents have reported troop movements in the Donetsk area. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has a team of observers in the region, reported that two convoys of 40 trucks and nine tanks had moved eastward in the Donbass region. The origin of the vehicles and the contents of the trucks are unknown. The vice-commander of the rebels, Eduard Basurin, said the convoy involved units of the people’s militia that had been established to defend Donetsk against Ukrainian government attacks. The official spokesperson for the US State Department, Jen Psaki, said that “Russia and the people’s militia it supported” had “constantly” broken the Minsk Agreement. Secretary of State John Kerry had threatened Russia with new sanctions on Saturday following talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. The European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called the troop movements a “very worrying development.” She urged Russia to show restraint and deescalate the situation. She demanded that Moscow block sol-
diers, weapons and fighters from entering Ukraine from Russian territory. Soon, the 28 EU foreign ministers are meeting to decide on new sanctions against Russia. “The debate will revolve around not only the tightening of sanctions, but especially around how we can assist Ukraine in these difficult times,” said Mogherini. German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced a possible expansion of the list of people who will be subject to sanctions. British Prime Minister David Cameron accused Russia of not abiding by international rules. If Russia “continues on its current path, we will keep upping the pressure, and Russia’s relationship with the rest of the world will be radically different in the future,” Cameron said. US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met briefly on the periphery of the Asia-Pacific Economic Summit (APEC) in Beijing. In addition to Ukraine, they discussed Iran’s nuclear program. No official report on their discussion has been released. It is expected that the two leaders will meet again next weekend at the G20 summit in Australia. A report was released listing 40 recent military confrontations between Russia and NATO that could have sparked a war. Last week, German NATO General Hans-Lothar Domröse announced that
the alliance would proceed more aggressively against Russia. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the Minsk ceasefire agreement after Ukrainian government forces fighting separatists in the east had suffered major defeats. The Kiev regime hopes to use the truce to buy time to stabilize its rule and reorganize its army. But the regime has violated the agreement at least as often as the rebels. Its forces have refused to vacate other positions besides the Donetsk airport as stipulated in the Minsk deal. They have, moreover, repeatedly shelled Donetsk and Luhansk. Autonomy rights have also been withheld from eastern Ukraine. Although the Ukrainian Parliament passed the relevant law, Parliamentary Speaker Alexander Turchinov refused to sign it or pass it on to the president. After the separatists held their own elections a week ago in eastern Ukraine, Turchinov declared the autonomy law to be void. A law purging the public sector and civil service that was passed before parliamentary elections held by the Kiev regime in October is being used to bring the state apparatus into line. Numerous posts that were previously occupied by people critical of the government are being handed over to the extreme right-wing forces that played a critical role in the coup that overthrew pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych last February. Juri Michaltschisin, who founded the Joseph Goebbels Institute in 2005, is reported to be the new head of the department of “propaganda and analysis” of the Ukrainian secret service, the SBU. NeoNazi Vadim Troyan was appointed Kiev police chief by the Interior Ministry. Right-wing battalions of the National Guard, which are funded by various oligarchs and play a crucial role in the civil war, sought to intervene more directly into politics by running representatives in the parliamentary elections. Although the openly fascist parties received relatively few votes, the major parties co-opted numerous right-wing extremists onto their slates. One prominent representative is Yuri Bereza, leader of the notorious Dnepr Battalion, which is responsible for numerous human rights violations. Bereza was elected to Parliament on the slate of the current prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk. As a new member of the largest parliamentary group, he announced shortly after the election, that his battalion would be prepared to carry out terrorist attacks in Russia. Based on such forces, and with the backing of Washington, Berlin and NATO, Kiev is preparing to renew its military offensive in the east. Page PageThree Five
GAWU hosts WFTU Latin FITUG concerned America and Caribbean over intrusion of head privacy in our society
From the left: GAWU President, Cde Komal Chand; Minister of Labour, Dr N.K. Gopaul; and WFTU Latin America and Caribbean head, Cde Ramon Cardona
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) hosted Cde Ramon Cardona, head of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Latin America & the Caribbean Regional Office, which is based in Havana, Cuba. Cde Cardona visited Guyana from October 20 to 21, 2014. His visit preceded similar visits to the Caribbean territories of Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Barbados and Jamaica. During the two (2) day visit, Cde Cardona met with members of the leadership of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). He also met with Minister of Labour, Dr Nanda Gopaul. The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) was established in the wake of the Second World War, after the defeat of Hitlerite fascism and at the foundation of the United Nations in June, 1945. It was formed to bring together trade unions across the world in a single international trade union organization. Many delegations of trade unions from different countries, including Guyana, attended the first Congress of the World Federation of Trade Unions held in Paris from 3rd to 8th October, 1945. However, there was a split in this body with the creation COMBAT: September/October, 2014
of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in 1949, one of the consequences of the advent of the Cold War. The WFTU has a membership of 129 million persons and affiliates in 130 countries. Our Union’s President, Cde Komal Chand is currently a member of the presidential council of this organisation. GAWU has been an affiliate of this body for decades, and has received much support and solidarity in its struggles during this time. Notably, assistance was received when the Union was briefly derecognized by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (Guysuco) in 1987. And also when the Union was engaged in protests against the implementation of the harsh and stringent measures of the IMF and World Bank, facilitated by the then Government around this period. For WFTU, solidarity has always been one if its pillars ever since it was founded. The GAWU was pleased to host the WFTU representative, Cde Ramon Cardona, to Guyana. The GAWU is certain that his visit and his discussions with several labour leaders and activists will be fruitful and prove to be mutually beneficial in the near future.
Attorney-General Anil Nandlall
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has been following, in a general way, the public expressions which have stemmed from the taping of a private conversation between the Attorney-General (AG) and a school friend, now working with a newspaper. Much of those views focused on the content of the purported tape; it seemingly is providing a grand opportunity for essentially the politically inclined to do some personal bashing. But those who are hastening to take advantage of this passing turn of events should not be shortsighted, nor should they allow any exultation at this act, obscure to its graver implications. For FITUG, certain concerns have come up. There is the disgusting and illegal nature of the taping of a private conversation by two (2) persons, in this case school chums. It is scary to know that in our midst are persons who would not hesitate to violate our right to privacy - in this instance, that of our AG. It may be germane to ask: If the Attorney-General of our country can be so easily targeted and illegally taped, who else within the higher echelons of our state apparatus – Government and/or security forces – is being targeted at this time? We find it instructive that the voices shunning intrusion of our privacy are not
as strong as one should expected. It is also a learning experience to hear from quarters who consistently justifiably condemn criminal activities in our society but are so silent in the illegal eavesdropping and taping of our AG. Over the generations, many values have evolved that determine our humanity. Respect of privacy is one such, and is a value and human right highly cherished. To feel secure in our world today cannot be limited to protection from physical harm and safeguarding of our personal property, but extends to communication with our families, neighbours, friends, workmates, clients, patients, etc. Violation of such private interactions undoubtedly becomes a threat to our democratic culture, which is still being consolidated. As we read in recent times, instances of such type of illegality and surveillance have had their unwanted repercussions and ugly backlash. We are not unaware that the AG episode comes close on the heels of another semi-sensational issue pivoted around the Speaker. Clearly, new challenges have emerged in our society. As a people, we need to take heed of such. Falling standards cannot be left unattended. FITUG holds the view that the hype around the AG at this time really reveals how our right to privacy is being undermined, and that our democratic thrust as a country can very well be in jeopardy. Page PageTwo Six
Arbitration to determine fate of Skeldon worker Stephen Daniel Much interest has been generated in the dismissal, which was later changed to suspension, of mill dock worker, Cde Stephen Daniel of Skeldon Estate arising from his alleged striking of the Estate Manager to his face on the night of September 19, 2014. Daniel denied he was engaged in such action. The Manager, it was alleged, was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident, and he was said to have confronted Daniel in an abusive and confrontational manner. As news of Daniel’s discipline reached the hundreds of his fellow field and factory workers, they became incensed and began to take spontaneous strike action in solidarity with Daniel and in denunciation of the Manager, whose mental disposition to workers generally is con-
sidered unacceptable. The strike action of the Skeldon workers was support by workers of the neighbouring Albion and Rose Hall estates. The strike ended on September 24, 2014 after the Ministry of Labour successfully guided the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) on the work-resumption terms which paved the way for an end of what is considered a costly strike. The main term which persuaded the end of the strike read as follows:“The dismissal of Mr Stephen Daniel will be amended to suspension without pay until the end of either conciliation or arbitration”
Not only was sugar production hampered, but the generation of about 10 – 14 megawatts of electricity per hour to the national grid was affected causing power outages as far as the capital city, Georgetown. Conciliatory proceedings on September 26 and October 01, 2014 did not resolve the dispute. The conciliator, Chief Labour Officer Cde Charles Ogle, after carefully considering the Union’s and the Corporation’s submissions recommended that Cde Daniel be reinstated and paid for the period he was off the job. The CLO’s recommendation, which had been roundly rejected by the Corporation, was a recommendation on the noncompliance of the Corporation based on
its own Disciplinary Code and Procedure. The CLO noted that natural justice to Daniel was denied by the Corporation. The Union and the Corporation, having failed to have the dispute resolved at conciliation on October 21, 2014, decided to have the dispute subjected to arbitration. The parties agreed to a sole arbitrator, and he is former Chief Labour Officer Cde Mohamed Akeel. Proceedings of the Tribunal will begin on November 05, 2014. Advocates leading the case of the Union and the Corporation have submitted memoranda to the arbitrator, and are ready to commence the hearing. At the conclusion, the arbitrator is to make an award as he deems fit, with which both the Corporation and the Union are to abide.
FITUG at ILO fora in Peru and Antigua
From the left Cdes Samuel Goolsarran, Charles Ogle and Narda Mohamed
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) hosted its 18th American Regional Meeting in Lima, Peru from October 13 – 16, 2014. The meeting set out and succeeded to establish a policy development document to guide ILO actions over the next four (4) years. Thirty-three (33) countries from Latin America, the Caribbean and North America had representatives drawn from Government , Employment, Workers. Guyana was represented by Cdes Charles Ogle of the Ministry of Labour, Samuel Goolsarran of Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI), and Narda Mohamed of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). There were one hundred and eighteen (118) delegates present of whom fifty (55) were Government delegates, 31 Employers’ delegates and 32 Workers’ delegates. Also, in the gathering were sixty five (65) government advisers, thirty (30) employers and fifty-four (54) workers. Thirtythree (33) per cent of the gathering were women, whose numbers are arising at such fora. COMBAT: September/October, 2014
The Credentials Committee observed that four (4) delegations contained no women delegates or advisers (Plurinational State of Bolivia, Dominica, Honduras, and Saint Kitts and Nevis). The Committee recalls that the United Nation Economic and Social Council, in its Resolution 1995/15, set a target to increase the proportion of women in leadership positions to at least 30 per cent by 1995, with a view to achieving equal representation between women and men by the year 2000. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the representation of women exceeded the 30 per cent target established by the Resolution, and called upon the governments and the employers’ and workers’ organizations to strive to increase the representation of women in their delegations at future ILO meetings. Apart from the General Meeting which facilitated plenary discussions and interventions, there were group meetings which focused on specific matters. The Plenary discussions focused on sustainable development and moving from informality to formality, with representa-
tives sharing strategies used in their countries and recommendations aimed at achieving the objectives. There were many significant contributions and interventions. Some were made on the report of the Director General, entitled “Twenty first century challenges for the Americas: Full and productive employment and decent work”. There was an intervention made by Guyana’s Narda Mohamed on the role of youths to decrease unemployment. This was included as part of the conclusion document of the meeting for action by the ILO. Also, Narda Mohamed was invited to attend a meeting in St. John’s, Antigua, from October 27 – 29, 2014 to focus on Sustainable Development. The meeting was held at the GARD Centre, Mercers Creek. It was the 7th Annual Caribbean Sustainable Economic Development meeting hosted by the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (COESL), aimed at Getting Regionalism Right – Developing the Caribbean’s Entrepreneurial Citizens, Redefining Sustainable Development in the Caribbean, and Taking Development to the Community. The meeting also received support from the ILO and the GARD Centre. Participating countries were Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat and British Virgin Islands, with an approximate attendance of thirty-four (34) participants. The participants from Barbados, Guyana and one (1) from Antigua represent-
ed the Trade Union movement, while the other participants were current and prospective Entrepreneurs. The meeting’s keynote speaker was the Minister of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Ms Samantha Marshall, who also declared the meeting open. Ms. Roberta Williams of the GARD Centre and Ms. Marcia Brandon of the COESL facilitated the three (3) day sessions. Ms. Brandon also did the launching of the Caribbean Entrepreneurship Week 2014. The meeting consisted of group work sessions, plenary discussions, and field visits to a Craft Market, the Ministry of Agriculture and a Farm. A Trade Show was also promoted as part of the activities, which saw about seven (7) Entrepreneurs exhibiting their business ventures. The Guyana representative was selected as a judge for the Trade Show along with the representatives of British Virgin Islands and Trinidad. She was also the presenter on the ‘findings and recommendations’ from the Craft Market visit. During the deliberations, there was transfer of knowledge, exploration of relevant ideas, and the development of action plans for deepening and strengthening working relationships and partnerships amongst the Caribbean Region. At the conclusion of the meeting, there was an award ceremony for best performers at the Trade Show, and the launching of some reading materials developed by the COESL. Coming out from this meeting, it is intended for a paper to be produced for publication based on results generated from the field research, to examine continuity measures to ensure that the work of participating partners attending the Conference is placed within the context of Sustainable Development’s agenda, and continue to evaluate the impact that each partner’s mandate is having on regional development in a sustainable way. Page Page Seven Three
FITUG observes WFTU Action Day
LEFT: Attendees to the International Action Day forum; RIGHT: Minister of Labour, Dr N.K. Gopaul addressing the gathering
In observance of this year’s World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) International Day of Action, members of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) affiliates – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU); and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) – participated in a spirited march on October 01, 2014 from the Bank of Guyana to the GAWU Headquarters, High Street, Kingston. At the conclusion of the march, a forum was held. Attendees heard addresses from the Organisation’s Second Vice President, Cde Sherwood Clarke; its General Secretary, Cde Kenneth Joseph; its Treasurer, Cde Seepaul Narine, and its President, Cde Carvil Duncan. The Minister of Labour, Dr N.K. Gopaul, also addressed the gathering. A message of solidarity from the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) was also read at the forum. Affiliated unions of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in about 120 countries, under the theme: “Unemployment: End unemployment! Organize and fight for dignified work and life!” will also organize various forms of activities like demonstrations, picketing exercises, protests, etc to observe this important day in their countries.
Action Day 2014 finds the global working people worldwide facing continuing hardships. The capitalist governments and the financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank have not found an “exit from the crisis” the world has been experiencing for years now. The recipe proffered as solutions by the developed countries is the same:- cuts in pay, pension cuts, austerity, drastic reduction of social rights and amenities, unemployment, etc. The burden of the crisis is clearly, is placed squarely on the backs of the working class to fetch. A perspective of the sad situation related to employment and poverty globally can be gleaned in the 2014 ILO Global Employment Trends report. In it, we get the following statistical picture:•
• • • •
The number of unemployed worldwide rose by 5 million in 2013 to almost 202 million, a 6 per cent unemployment rate. Some 23 million workers have dropped out of the labour market The number of jobseekers is expected to rise by more than 13 million by 2018 Around 839 million workers lived with their families on less than US$2 per day in 2013 Some 375 million workers lived with their families on less than $1.25 a day in 2013
At the same time, we have learnt that the world’s 85 wealthiest people hold as much wealth as the poorest 3.5 billion, or half the world population. We live in a world where equality of opportunity for a significant section of its population is fast becoming just a dream. Against that background, the FITUG joins with the WFTU-affiliated trade unions to focus attention on the plight of tens of millions of our planet’s citizens who suffer from being jobless. FITUG recognizes and supports a revitalized struggle by the working people around the question of unemployment. We believe employment is an indispensable
condition for a worker to lead and enjoy a life of dignity. Simultaneously, we are quite aware that unemployment is a phenomenon inherent in the capitalist system, and eradication of this scourge necessitates profound changes of the prevailing profit driven socio-economic system. The FITUG stands for stable and steady work and decent wages for all. A just and peaceful future cannot be based on exploitation and growing unemployment. Capitalist norms as we are seeing can no longer effectively address today’s problems faced by the masses the world over.
Continued from page one To escape objective scrutiny, the Corporation, year after year, proffers publicly and unapologetically distorted excuses for its dismal performances. Noteworthy among the perpetual excuses are poor turn-out of cane cutters, strikes and climate change. Work stoppage statistics will convincingly indicate that there were work stoppages nowadays in comparison to when the industry’s production was at acceptable levels in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In those years, average production was 319,587 tonnes. The unscientific pricing
of workers’ tasks in the cane fields is the main reason for field work stoppages. With the presence of bell loaders or semimechanical harvesters available to aid cane harvesting for some years now, the present available cane-cutting workforce is adequate to harvest the canes. In some weeks, the present workforce configuration enables sugar production to reach close to 9,000 tonnes of sugar earlier in the crop. The sugar industry is more than 350 years old and needs an immediate rescue plan lest it continues to sink, to the detriment of our country’s economy.
Production of 219,045 tonnes sugar illusive
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