Issue#:6 Volume#: 32
Combat
C OMMENTARY:
Reflections from Guyana’s General Elections 2011
Before Guyana’s last polling day (November 28, 2011), the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had advised the thousands of the umbrella body’s members of their people’s power as workingclass voters. FITUG did not endorse any one political party out of respect for its significantly diverse membership having the right to varying choices. We in GAWU respect too, our democracy and the right of our members to choose. The people have chosen and the results have thrown up an unprecedented and challenging scenario in the ultimate People’s forum known as Parliament. It certainly suggests that a new dynamic of power-sharing and/or collective governance will be the imperative for both the Government and the Parliamentary Opposition, the latter now with a one-seat-one-vote advantage in the National Assembly. COMBAT invited a long-serving newspaper columnist to share excerpts from his editorial views and elsewhere for our readers’ consideration in this issue. Now read, agree, disagree with and debate the following:“On the turnout To me, it was both instructive and heart-warming to learn that in some predominantly Afro-Guyanese villages drumming and ringing of bells awakened and summoned eligible young and old to the (fo-day morning) polls! Oh, so many learnt of the effectiveness of traditional, folk mobilization! But this too I’ll observe even as formerly apathetic, indifferent young Afro-Guyanese were enthused to vote this time, that is exactly where the PPP/C also succeeded, though it could be argued that they suffered from the migration of voters. But the youth voters fuelled the 2011 overall turnout.” “Irregularities? One party, perhaps sensing defeat, chronicled a dossier of alleged irregularities, no doubt with a view to legal challenges in the weeks to come, (I read a legal challenge some years ago managed to get a whole election vitiated! Possible this time around?) Ballot box seals were found even though boxes were intact. But there was evidence of legitimate on time voters being issued tendered/useless ballots. GECOM dismissed errant staff immediately but one party called for recounts after allegedly discovering supporters’ ballots were not properly stamped. Continued on page two COMBAT: November/December, 2011
Sugar Industry in distress
Voice of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)
The sugar industry continues to perform far below its capacity, causing it, again this year, to get into financial distress; this time much deeper. At the end of the year, the Corporation’s indebtedness to suppliers, banks and others would even be higher than it was in any of the recent years. Sugar production at the end of this year will hover at around 237,000 tonnes. On December 20, 2011, just four days before the closure of the second crop, production reached 235,238 tonnes, which is significantly lower than the year’s revised production target of 282,712 tonnes. The hierarchy of the Corporation continues to misguide the nation, or is unable to determine the volume of its production at the beginning of each year, even with a tolerance level of 5 per cent. Since 2005, the Corporation’s yearly sugar production has been far lower than its forecast. The under-mentioned table explains this year’s overestimation of the industry’s production:Estate Production Target % achieved Skeldon 29,346 49,302 59.52 Albion 57,149 64,880 88.08 Rose Hall 39,143 39,136 100.07 Blairmont 39,768 42,085 94.49 Enmore 22,935 37,688 60.85 LBI 4,210 4,210 100.0 Wales 21,882 26,565 82.34 Uitvlugt 20,806 23,059 90.23 Total 235,235 282,712 83.21 A significant factor with respect to the industry’s declining agricultural performance is related to the industry’s inability to grow quality canes. Non flood-fallowing or short duration of flood-fallowing; untimely application of fertilizer; inadequate fertilization; improper cane-land preparation; poor drainage of cane
November/December, 2011
fields,;failure to rehabilitate damaged cane stools, now compounded by the use of bell-loaders on dampened cane beds during the harvesting season; and questionable ability of the Corporation’s Research Department in the use of changing cane varieties are some of the issues which need urgent remedial attention. It is incomprehensible that an industry which is over 350 years old is found wanting in ideal cane-growing. The industry’s lack of knowledgeable personnel in good agricultural practices, and the application of the personnel to ensure the execution of field tasks in a timely way, require the urgent and immediate attention of the Board of Directors and the hierarchy of the Management of the Corporation to arrest the deteriorating sugar production trend of the industry. Sugar production must, soon after the arrest of its decline, be pushed upward in keeping with the size of the industry’s fields, the functioning of the factories, and the available workforce. The industry has the potential to produce 400,000 tonnes of sugar, a feat which is possible within the next three (3) years. The compensation for such production is assured. Guysuco is receiving reasonable prices for its sugar in its contractual markets, and for its Continued on page six Page One
Reflections from Guyana’s General Elections 2011 Continued from page one
My lessons here had to do with the new definitions of rigging (alleged or attempted) before and on Polling Day. Oh how some have caused the pendulum of this phenomenon to be swung. Full circle! But did any actual irregularities influence, final results?” “Majority tail, minority dog… The expression about “the tail wagging the dog” is picturesque in imagery as it refers to the supposedly “lesser” or subordinate entity or component virtually controlling the more senior or powerful authority. In the imminent Tenth Parliament of Guyana, the opposition’s 33 seats and votes outnumber the government by one. Suddenly, the one, that “tail”, is a most powerful number. The opposition tail in the house can now (try to) wag the government dog. A few other parliaments exist like this in the world. The American executive and the two branches of congress represent this legislative phenomenon. It is therefore not the unique. Not only unprecedented and challenging for Guyana. I am one of those concerned, but expectant Guyanese looking forward to how the dog and tail will coordinate their movements in the National Assembly. I am also one who begs the members of Parliament to wage in the interest of the electorate and the other thousands of young citizens. The APNU/AFC “tail” has already hinted on a type of menu of parliamentary measures they are likely to introduce with their powerful majority of one seat and vote. And I have altered folks that in this new parliamentary configuration, the makeup of the now powerful parliamentary sub-committees, will be most challenging, then pivotal, to the more public workings of the Assembly. Look out for these committees! Now the old “dog”, the government side is not without its status and authority. And I’m not reffering only to what the President can do with legislation sent to him. There are other parliamentary “skills” the government side can employ if it deems the opposition’s positions untenable. If it is reluctant to compromise in the people’s interest.” Conclusions “So, we need our politicians, supported and encouraged by civil society, to be at their most reasonable and adaptable in the coming days, weeks and months, if we are to avoid the added stress of an early election. We need them to engage in constructive dialogue, to make deals, as the only practical, political strategy, if all Guyana is to win something out of the realignment of forces in Parliament. Obviously, for this to happen, the political will must exist on all sides to move the country forward. Our leaders should therefore seize the opportunity to refine and elevate our political process from the realm of “the disastrous and the unpalatable” to strive for what is possible and to realise “the art of the next best.” The good of the country demands this of them. To do otherwise would be to court catastrophe and inflict more pain all around.” COMBAT: November/December, 2011
Welcome President Ramotar The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) uses this medium to welcome the appointment of Donald Rabindranauth Ramotar as the new Executive President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The electorate made their choice on November 28 last after a rather robust campaign from which Guyanese has a choice of three Presidential Candidates. Quite a few Guyanese especially outside of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, wondered about Donald Ramotar his persona, suitability and credentials for the nation’s highest job. GAWU knows the Seventh Executive President of Guyana, His Excellency Donald Ramotar to be foremost, and a humble servant of the people. As Guyana’s largest union and bargaining agent for thousands of the nation’s workers, GAWU is pleased to welcome President Ramotar because of that simple fact. He is a product of the working-class who could and would hardly forget his origins and his connections with the people. We feel that Donald Ramotar is not likely to lose “the common touch”. President Ramotar’s role as the successor General Secretary of the PPP after the demise of Guyana’s Hero Dr Cheddi Jagan, has, ironically, obscured his impeccable credentials, training and status. He is a trained economist who benefitted from both Russian and University
of Guyana qualifications. He has served GAWU, thus earning his spurs within the labour movement. He has worked and studied in Czechoslovakia, being a journalist and analyst in his own right, also being a regular contributor to many PPP publications. Recently he has the opportunity to advise past President Jagdeo whilst savoring the intricacies and challenges of the Presidency. So GAWU appreciates His Excellency’s credentials but knows that the best and the test is yet to come. GAWU also records the fact that we had differences with Guysuco Board on which Mr Ramotar served. That role was however a collective one and we therefore cannot single him out for any displeasure. His role as Guyana’s Chief Servant, given the unique nature of the new Parliament and the fresh political scenario, will challenge the new President’s capabilities to the maximum. Seemingly, he has chosen a tried and trusted team to assist him. New vistas are also available to him for he had pledged his own version of “inclusionary democracy” whilst on the campaign trail. Those who did and didn’t vote for him await his stewardship with great positive expectations. GAWU now offered its unstinted support to President Ramotar on the condition that he serves the best interest of all Guyanese. Welcome and Best Wishes Mister President!
GAWU’s Christmas Message 2011:
Let Time, Peace and Tolerance Prevail
The General and Regional Elections, which saw actual polling on (Monday) November 28, 2011 last, brought out the best and the proverbial worst in many Guyanese. The “best” could be defined as a significantly high turn-out of electors who were orderly and law-abiding. The polling was relatively peaceful unlike other places in this world. The “worst”, however, was definitely the acrimony, the suspicious, allegations and protest-demonstration which one major party organized in the aftermath of the poll. Whether they were justified or not is not the point of this message. We record our regret at the talk and demonstration of bitterness, boycotts and seven some commercial profiling. Against that backdrop, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) welcomed the advent of the Christians’ Festival of Christmas and joins in the observance of this all-pervasive festival. As is traditional the Guyanese version of Christmas brought calm, togetherness and, of course, merriment to Guya-
nese glad to unshackle themselves from the more contentious issues of the recent elections period and those of post-polling day. Most Christians have chosen to celebrate the Birth of their Christ Child on December 25 even though arguably the Nativity did not occur then. But it is the Spirit which the Hope for mankind that Birth signaled. Our Christian community holds that their God’s Wood was made flesh and dwelt amongst men. Jesus was reportedly a humble working-class man who was also the Chief Servant of his Father, ministering to the poor and dispossessed in the face of the brutal power of Roman Government. There are numerous symbols, ceremonies and spiritual-religious components to the Christmas Story. In Guyana, GAWU’s thousands of members, Christian or not, find some way to manifest the Birth, the renewal and the Hope of the wonderful Biblical occasion. GAWU closes this message by hoping that this particular Christmas 2011 will bless all Guyanese with peace, goodwill and sharing and caring for one another. Let the Birth inspire our Leaders and Ourselves to strive for tolerance and co-operation both within and outside of the corridors of power. Truly then it will be Christmas “Joy to the World” for Guyana in December and throughout the New Year. A Joyous Christmas of Peace and Goodwill and a Successful Constructive New Year to All Guyanese from GAWU. Page Two
Credit Union holds AGM
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Society Ltd. Reg. # 2000 concluded successfully on (Sunday) October 30, 2011 its 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) with an attendance of approximately 385 members at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown. The Society realized a surplus of $14,785,824 during its operations in year 2010. By resolutions, members approved the payment from the surplus, the sum of $9,020,416 as dividend, and $1,553,493 as interest rebate to members of the Society. Members also approved the sum of $2,957,165 to the Statutory Reserve Fund, and the sum of $1,169,602 to the Audit and Supervision Fund, while the sum of $85,148 was credited to the So-
cial and Entertainment Fund. The elected Management Committee comprises Cdes Seepaul Narine, Rooplall Persaud, Indar Persaud Singh, Derek Thakur, Bevon Sinclair, Richard De Freitas, Gaitree Baron, Aslim Singh, Charles Cadogan, Harvey Tambron and Walter Raghoo, while the members of the Supervisory Committee are CdesKavita Bishun, Narda Mohamed and Amolita Carol. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union Cooperative Credit Union Society Limited is distinctive in our country in holding its AGMs and in always being able, through good governance, to generate surpluses, some of which members benefit from in the form of dividends and interest rebates.
The job evaluation exercise with respect to the approximately 5,500 timerated workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco), who are represented by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) in two (2) bargaining units, is completed. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco), had obtained pay rates from four local employers – Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) – which have been used as a guide in the fixture of the rates for the 168 jobs. These companies have jobs which share some resemblance to jobs which are evaluated by the Corporation. The Committee, which comprises personnel from Guysuco and the Union, held its last meeting on December 19, 2011. On the completion of the job evaluation exercise, the Corporation will
need to implement the new rates as early as possible. A similar exercise conducted for the approximately 1,000 employees represented by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) was completed in January, 2010. The results of that evaluation were implemented on August 01, 2011, and was retroactive to January 01, 2011. By agreement, the Union and the Corporation decided to have the job evaluation exercise completed no later than December 31, 2011. Members of the evaluation body from the Union’s side areCdes Seepaul Narine, General Secretary; Aslim Singh, Research Officer; Harvey Tambron, Supervisor – New Amsterdam Office; Mohamed Ahamad, Representative – Rose Hall Estate; and Abraham Nagamootoo, GAWU Executive Member.
FITUG organises one-day Trade Union Seminar
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), on November 08, 2011, organized at the GAWU Labour College a one-day Trade Union Seminar under the theme “Educating our Workers for Stronger Unionism”. There were twenty-nine (29) participants from FITUG’s affiliates – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU); the National Association of
GAWU participates in launching of Caribbean Domestic Workers Network
Job Evaluation completed
COMBAT: November/December, 2011
Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE); the Clercial and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU); and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU). Presenters focused on the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, the Trade Union Recognition Act, Collective Bargaining and the Role of the Ministry of Labour, and Workers/Members’ pivotal to effective Unionism. There was also a presentation on the status of the Trade Union Movement taking cognizance of the two (2) umbrella bodies, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Participants of the seminar expressed their interest in having FITUG organize five-day courses with a wider curriculum.
There was the launching of the Caribbean Domestic Workers Network (CDWN) in Barbados on November 14, 2011, following a two-day meeting on November 13 and 14 at the Barbados Workers’ Union’s Labour College. It was the initiative of the National Union of Domestic Employees (NUDE) of Trinidad and Tobago and the Jamaica Household Workers’ Association (JHWA) which had led to the formation of the CDWN. This important initiative comes at a time when there is a wider global commitment to ensuring that this category of workers can access standard workplace rights. In July 2011, the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers was adopted. The Convention sets out that domestic workers around the world who
care for families and households, m u st h a v e t h e same basic labour rights a s those available to other workers: reasonable hours of work; clear information on terms and conditions of employment; respect for fundamental principles; and rights at work, including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. The CDWN hopes to press for Caribbean States to ratify this important convention with a view to legislate soon after for appropriate legislation to support the spirit of the Convention has been passed. Trade Unions in the Caribbean have a duty to support the objectives of the CDWN as it pursues that body task to have domestic workers in the Caribbean protected under legislation and trade unions. GAWU represented by Cde Tagewattie Khan. Page Three
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The Modern Gold Rush By J. Alejandro Artiga-Purcell
In September of this year, the price of gold reached a record high, breaking US$1,900 per ounce for the first time in history. This unprecedented spike in gold prices has come in the midst of the U.S. debt crisis and the financial turmoil sweeping over Europe. Although prices have tempered since then, hovering at around US$1,650 per ounce in October, the overall price of gold has more than quintupled over the past decade. The rising uncertainty of today’s economic climate has only intensified the allure to invest in this precious metal, which, unlike the dollar and the euro, has a value that is not tied to sovereign debt or hobbled economies, making it a safer investment. That’s why recent boosts in gold prices will likely fan the already raging flames of today’s gold rush, which began when the value of gold first shot up in the early 2000s. The Gold Rush and its Discontents The ramifications of such high prices have not been seen on Wall Street alone. They have been felt around the world by governments and communities that are confronted by the growing onslaught of transnational gold-mining corporations. Throughout the past decade, mining conglomerates have raced to explore and exploit the world’s gold deposits as quickly and cheaply as possible, trying to capitalize on the high price of gold while they can. In Latin America, a region replete with untapped mineral wealth, the number of transnational mining corporations has skyrocketed since 2000, mirroring the rising price of gold. With profit as the ultimate priority, mining corporations have flocked to mineral-rich develop-
ing nations and taken all they can — leaving behind a trail of infertile land, cyanide-laced water, and broken communities. The outrage from affected mining communities which have been stripped of their lands, health, and natural resources has led to organized protests and a growing anti-mining movement throughout the region. From Peru’s Puno province—which saw the shutdown of the Bear Creek Mining Project in June—to Cabañas, El Salvador—where locals struggled successfully to shut down the El Dorado gold mine—communities are organizing and fighting back. Lawfare
Yet, notwithstanding broad opposition from local communities, growing anti-mining sentiment, and some governments’ newfound resolve to enforce stricter environmental and social standards, mining corporations have refused to back down. Instead, they have looked to free trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to sue governments in international tribunals if they are denied access to national resources. For example, in 2009, Pacific Rim Cayman, a mining corporation headquartered in Canada, sued the Salvadoran government under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) for $77 million when it was refused a permit to begin extraction in the El Dorado mine. Although the Pacific Rim case against El Salvador is still in progress, other corporations have won millions of dollars using similar tactics. In March 2010, the oil giant Chevron won over $700 million in a suit against Ecuador. This case and Pacific Rim’s case against El Salvador are just two examples of a growing trend in
which transnational corporations use FTAs and BITs to suppress governments, bypass local courts, and undermine the democratic process in developing countries. Lawsuits brought by corporations under FTAs and BITs represent huge economic costs for governments, no matter the outcome. In another case filed against El Salvador, this one by Commerce Group (Commerce Group v. El Salvador), the Salvadoran government won—as Commerce Group had already filed a case in Salvadoran courts, and thus did not have recourse to an international tribunal—but was still forced to pay $800,000 in legal fees. As such, governments must pay whether the tribunal decides in their favour or not, creating a loselose situation, especially for developing countries that already have tight budgets. Consequently, being subject to international investment rules, the governments of mineral-rich countries must think twice before implementing environmentally or socially responsible laws, for fear of being sued by corporations that may feel their economic interests have been threatened. With the power to bypass national courts, corporations leave nations at the mercy of international tribunals, where affected communities are not stakeholders. Investment treaties such as FTAs and BITs give transnational companies the power to disregard national democratic processes. Although these breaches of national sovereignty have been met with a resolute and organized local resistance, international tribunals have failed to uphold the human and environmental rights of threatened communities and desperate governments. As these uncertain financial times further push up the value of precious commodities like gold, the stakes have never been higher, and these battles over the right to natural resources and national sovereignty will only increase.
Climate Justice, Gender Justice... Continued from page five The Indigenous women of this grassroots groups have come together to train in organic farming. They have also organized a seed bank through which women cultivate, save and share local, organic seeds from one growing season to the next. Sudan: The effects of climate change are wreaking havoc in Sudan, where recurring droughts and floods are destroying crops and making farmers’ traditional knowledge obsolete. With the support of MADRE and our local partner, Zenab for Women in Development, women came together in a farmers’ union to share their coping strategies and to pool their resources. They are pioneering a new model of providing locally-grown, sustainable food aid, challenging humanitarian agencies to “buy local” and avoid carbon emissions from international shipping. Kenya: Famine, drought and the loss of cattle as a source of income have impacted families across Kenya. With dead livestock littering barren fields, many families on the edge of despair feel driven to marry off daughters for a dowry in livestock or COMBAT: November/December, 2011
money – even if their girls are only half the legal age of 18 years. In this way, families struggling to survive forestall starvation and daughters are fed by their new husbands. Our partners at the Indigenous Information Network operate the Nanyori Network of Shelters to offer girls an alternative to early marriage exacerbated by climate change. Young girls are given the opportunity to attend school and build a path out of poverty for themselves and their families. Meanwhile, the leaders of our partner organization, Womankind Kenya, realized that long-term survival would mean adapting to persistent drought conditions that result from climate change. Now, Womankind Kenya is helping people switch their livestock from cattle to camels, hardier animals more likely to withstand prolonged droughts. What’s next? The solutions of grassroots women worldwide are charting a sustainable path forward. The World Bank must follow their lead and commit to:
Break our reliance on fossil fuels. It must invest in projects that give resources to new, clean energy possibilities, like wind and solar power. Prioritize the input of grassroots women’s groups and civil society in crafting the policies of the World Bank to address climate change. MADRE’s partners are already building solutions to climate change in their communities, including running in Sudan farming unions that boost the capacity of small-scale farmers, and mobilizing knowledge of indigenous peoples in Nicaragua to protect biodiversity and local ecosystems. Their lessons and expertise are critical to creating policies that confront climate change and protect human rights. Finance projects that enable rural communities to respond to climate change without binding them to environmentally destructive projects. A “Robin Hood Tax” on financial transactions would help to fund clean energy projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously stabilizing a highly volatile global financial market. Work with governments towards a strong, legally binding commitment to reduce climate change emissions, which must include real commitments from the industrialized countries that are most responsible for climate change Page Four
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The Myth of the Green Bank:
Climate Justice, Gender Justice and the World Bank
By MADRE We know the world is hurtling towards catastrophic climate change, but there is still time to shift course. In many places, especially in the Global South, the effects of the climate crisis are already evident—and women are paying the heaviest price. What’s worse, the year 2010 saw the largest ever recorded spike in carbon emissions. World leaders have had multiple opportunities to come together and agree on an effective strategy to curb climate change, but little progress has been made. Most leaders of industrialized countries remain oblivious to the laws of nature, creating policies that promote infinite consumption of finite resources. These are the economic policies that have dominated the practices of international financial institutions like the World Bank. These have had devastating effects on developing countries, with a disproportionate impact on women. The global movement for economic justice is expanding rapidly. People have begun to stand up against economic policies that favour the rich, drive unemployment, impoverish women and their families and propel climate change. In the search for alternatives, grassroots women hold vital yet under-recognized solutions. To create the effective climate policies we all need, the World Bank must listen to the women who are most affected by the climate crisis. How have the policies of the World Bank aggravated climate change? COMBAT: November/December, 2011
The World Bank was founded to help finance the development of low-income countries. But the development model it promotes has often caused a great deal of harm. By focusing on large-scale energy infrastructure projects, like fossil fuel explorations and oil pipelines, it has contributed to the very root causes of climate change. The World Bank may use poverty alleviation as its argument, but increasing fossil fuel based production instead of clean energy only further threatens people’s lives. The neoliberal economic policies of the World Bank prop up existing structures that keep nations of the Global South impoverished, indebted and invested in dirty energy that only worsens climate change. One such example is the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds (CIFs). Through this programme, developing countries rely on loans to acquire the resources to respond to climate change. They are ultimately responsible for paying off additional debts for a climate crisis they did not create. How is the Global South impacted by World Bank policies?
It is rich, industrialized nations that are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere. But it is developing countries that are disproportionately affected by the droughts, famines, floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather patterns triggered by climate change. According to the World Bank’s own figures, developing countries will suffer approximately 80% of the damage from climate change, despite contributing only one-third of the global carbon emissions. Part of the World Bank’s climate initiative is to finance projects that encourage sustainable development for impoverished nations. However, in 2010, 6.3 billion dollars went to fossil fuel projects. In contrast, only 3.4 billion dollars went to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
As a result of this pattern, impoverished nations are locked into projects that provide short-term financial gains but worsen climate change in the long term. This only means that poor countries will need to spend more to respond to the threats presented by the climate crisis. The World Bank’s definition of “clean” energy is also questionable. It includes ‘clean coal’ and large-scale hydropower projects. But ‘clean coal’ is an oxymoron and a convenient slogan for coal companies. Large-scale hydropower projects like dams have repeatedly disrupted ecosystems and displaced people, including many indigenous peoples, from their lands. The World Bank is one of the biggest financial backers of these harmful dams. How do World Bank policies on climate change affect women? It is widely recognized that poor people are being hit first and worst by impacts of climate change, including food shortages, droughts, floods and diseases. Fewer people acknowledge that, as a result of gender discrimination, the majority of poor people worldwide— nearly 70 percent—are women. Women are also responsible for many of the activities directly impacted by climate change, including farming and fetching water. When extreme weather diminishes crop output, it is women who eat last and least. And when droughts dry up water supplies, it is women who must walk farther to fetch drinking water. Despite women’s particular vulnerability to climate change, World Bank policies fail to adequately recognize these gender-specific impacts in their funding and projects. They do not address the disproportionate climate impacts on women or include women’s voices in charting new paths forward. For example, the ChadCameroon oil pipeline, financed by the World Bank, was found to exacerbate women’s poverty. The majority of small-scale farmers in Cameroon are women. When the pipeline carrying oil from Chad cut through their land, women’s livelihoods were put in jeopardy. What solutions are women worldwide creating? The most promising, hopeful solutions to address climate change so far have not come from the negotiating halls of the major world powers. They have come from grassroots women who are fighting every day to protect their families and communities and to safeguard their environments. Nicaragua: Indigenous peoples in Nicaragua have protected local ecosystems for generations, using sustainable, small-scale farming methods and promoting community respect for the environment. These practices continue, through organizing efforts like those of our partner, Wangki Tangni. Continued on page four Page Five
Salauting Cde Ratnie Nabbie
leading into the cultivation were generally in a poor condition, especially during the rainy days. She said sometimes they would finish working at around 2:00pm, after which they would begin the long trek home. She said that on her return home she would have to engage in household chores before she could retire to bed for the next day’s work. She was an ardent GAWU supporter. When her colleagues protested through strikes, demonstrations and other activities, she would unhesitatingly join them. She fully supported GAWU’s struggle to become the bargaining agent of the field and factory workers, thus displacing the MPCA in February, 1976.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) won its long recognition battle and overcame its serious challenges with the support of many loyal and dedicated union members. Among those was Cde Ratnie Nabbie from Albion Estate, who provided fortyfive (45) years’ service to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) at Albion Estate. Cde Nabbie was born on February 02, 1934 and is the fifth and last child born to Mohan and Sukhia Mohan, who were employed at Albion Estate for most of their employable years, as a shovelman and a weeder respectively. Cde Nabbie got married in 1950 at age sixteen (16). Later in the same year, she sought employment in the sugar industry and was employed as a weeder. Soon after her marriage she took such manual tasks, because the income of her husband was extremely inadequate. On her joining the industry, she was able to learn that her fellow workers were disgruntled with their working conditions and pay rates. They blamed their Union – the Man Power Citizens Assocation (MPCA) – to be greatly responsible for their plight at the workplace. She said that in those days she and her co-workers spent long hours each day walking a significant part of the distance in order to reach their worksite. Ratnie related that they would begin walking from as early as 6:00am, which would require her waking up from about 4:30am in order to prepare meals and make other preparations, afterwhich she would leave her six children in the care of her mother. Cde Nabbie noted that the dams COMBAT: November/December, 2011
Following GAWU’s recognition, workers were for the first time able to elect their shop stewards. Nabbie was chosen without a contest as the shop steward of her gang. CdeNabbie said she viewed her role as a shop steward as challenging. She took pride in the confidence her colleagues had vested in her, which was demonstrated in them electing her as a representative. She recalled that she tried at all times to represent her fellow workers to the best of her ability. She was engaged in resolving many price disputes. She said that since GAWU became the recognised Union there have been significant improvements in working conditions and pay rates. She recalled some of the improvements as transportation of workers to and from their workplaces, payments which compensate workers for the time lostshould they arrive late beyond a certain time at their worksite as a result of transportation problems, and provision of tools and safety equipment. She also spoke of the improvement in the Annual Production Incentive (API) regime, which saw workers receiving greater levels of days’ pay, in comparison to the MPCA, when only up to 8 days’ pay were awarded for the production of 300,000 tonnes of sugar, and the introduction of other incentives. Nabbie, on reflection, said that despite the challenges she had faced for decades as a female worker in the sugar industry, she cherished some of the good memories, both as a worker and a union member. She thinks that if she had to live her life again, she would work in the sugar industry, noting the improvements in the working conditions. Following her retirement from the industry in 1995, Ratnie said, she has become a television viewer, and is very much dedicated to her flower garden.
GAWU General Secretary at IUF 5th World Agriculture Conference
Delegates attending the IUF’s 5th World Agriculture Conference
Affiliates of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF) held their 5th World Conference of Agriculture in Accra, Ghana on December 8 and 9, 2011. The conference was attended by sixty-three (63) delegates from thirty-three (33) affiliated unions representing thirty-one (31) countries. The IUF, which has mandated itself to have women attend its sponsored forums, organized an attendance of 43 per cent women delegates. Cde Seepaul Narine, General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and an Executive Member of the IUF, represented GAWU. The Conference paid attention to the IUF’s focus in the Agricultural
Sector, which is as follows:• Making sure that the contribution of agricultural workers is recognised and factored into policy making • Making sure that agricultural workers have the most basic of human rights to organize and bargain to improve their living conditions, so that decent work in agriculture becomes a reality • Building links along the food chain to ensure good quality, sustainable employment throughout the food chain Among other things, the conference reviewed its work since the 4th Conference which was held in Seville, Spain in 2006, and identified some issues to be referred to the IUF’s World Congress, to be held in May, 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Continued from page one
sell cane to the industry representing seven per cent of the Corporation’s total production. It has been estimated that some 125,000 out of the country’s approximately 750,000-person population rely greatly on the sugar industry for their livelihoods, whether as Guysuco employees, private cane growers, suppliers or service providers; as well as their respective dependents. From an economic standpoint, the industry accounts for some 30 per cent of Guyana’s agricultural output, and 10 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, and it is a net foreign exchange earner.
Sugar Industry in distress
packaged sugar and the growing demand for same. Greater sugar production will also allow the Corporation to benefit from the favourable world market price, which is predicted to remain at US22 cents per pound for the next year. The Guyana sugar industry plays an important and significant role in the country’s economy. To this day, it remains our country’s largest employer, with not less than 18,000 employees from managerial staff to ordinary worker. Additionally, there are 1,500 cane farmers who
Page Six
Remembering Richard DTL workers receive 6% hike Verbeke
Cde Richard Verbeke, before his death on November 06, 2011 was a stalwart of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers (NAACIE). Cde Verbeke, a trade unionist for decades,was born on September 8, 1931 in the bauxite mining town of Linden, some 56 miles from Georgetown.He received his formal education at the Mackenzie Government School, and soon after his scholastic days, he got acquainted with trade union activities, partly through his brother who was active in the Guyana Mine Workers Union (GMWU), then the larger of the two bauxite unions.
and holding meetings. Cheddi Jagan was reffering to the period of witchhunting following the suspension of the Constitution by the British in October, 1953. Cde Verbeke believed strongly in the need to support the ordinary man, and he felt that the Trade Union movement was the best vehicle for him to make his contribution towards the realization of that goal. Hence his dedication to work and associate himself, in many of his last years, with NAACIE, and later with both GAWU and NAACIE. At one time, he was an executive member of the GWU and participated in negotiating several collective labour agreements as well as representing the grievances of workers at various levels, including the Ministry of Labour. In the late 1980’s, when the General Workers Union (GWU) came under attack by the then government because that Union had broken rank with other pro-government unions in the election of a new President and Executive Committee of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Verbeke physically assisted that Union to move its office from Lamaha Street, where they were forcibly thrown out from the then office of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU).
Many interesting letters were pubHis active involvement in the move- lished under his name. There were ment began when he was elected letters which were full of workers’ amongst his peers as the Chairman of interests, or politics or both. He was the Winiperu Branch of the Sawmill fearless of what he published, even and Forest Workers Union of the Brit- though he knew he could be a target ish Guiana Timbers Limited. Later he for those whom he considered exbecame a Field Officer with the Saw- posed. mill and Forest Workers Union then after leaving that Union, he became For his dedicated contribution to the Chief Shop Steward of the Gen- the Trade Union Movement, he was eral Workers Union (GWU). Through awarded by the Government of Guyhis involvement in the trade union ana with the Medal of Service on movement, he came into contact October 21, 2011. He felt that the with notable trade unionists such as award was not for him, but for the Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Cheddi Trade Union Movement and the orJagan and Ashton Chase. He idol- dinary people he loved very much. ized the three comrades, particularly He was also appropriately honoured Cde Ashton Chase and DrJagan, who by NAACIE for his long service to that were his political allies for all time. In Union. his book – Forbidden Freedom – Dr Many of his friends, his relatives and Jagan, in reference to Cde Verbeke his family members will remember wrote that he and 15 others were him for his many positive attributes incarcerated for six months at the and his simple and outstanding life. Mazaruni Prison for demonstrating COMBAT: November/December, 2011
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) on December 12, 2011, reached an agreement for 6 per cent across-the-board increase to the almost 100-person workforce in the Union’s bargaining unit, with effect from January 01, 2011. At negotiations between the Union and the company the latter stuck to an across-the-board increase of 4 per cent, pointing to its poor financial situation. The Union’s delegation, comprising among others shop stewards from DTL, unanimously approved referring the dispute to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation. It was at conciliation that the Union was able to secure the company’s financial statements and its sales and production data for 2010 and up to September 30, 2011, which assisted the Union in its ar-
guments to obtain a higher percentage increase. The Chief Labour Officer, Cde Yoganand Persaud, as Chairman of the proceedings at conciliation, assisted significantly the Union and the company to approve the 6 per cent wage/salary hike. Additionally, the workers will receive a 6 per cent increase in meal allowances, station allowance and night premium. As a result of the company’s financial situation, the parties agreed to have the retroactive payments disbursed in two (2) tranches. The first tranche, covering the period January to June, 2011, was paid on December 16, 2011; while the second tranche, for the remaining months of this year, will be paid on or before January 20, 2012. The new rate of pay taking into account the 6 per cent hike will be implemented with effect from January 04, 2012.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) have approved an eight (8) per cent wage/salary hike, retroactive to January 01, 2011. The parties also agreed to increase meals, subsistence and travelling allowances by 8 per cent. Additionally, cycle allowance has been increased by $500 to $2,800 per month, and shoe allowance has been increased to $6,000 per year. Year-end bonus to employees has also been improved by $5000. Employees below the level of Senior Clerk would receive $40,000, while those from the Senior Clerk level and above would receive $45,000.
The employees of BEV Processors Inc would receive a year-end bonus totalling some $10M, following negotiations between the company and the Union on December 8, 2011.
SILWFC workers BEV workers to receive 8% wage get $10M in increase bonus
The Company’s Managing Director and the Union agreed that the Christmas season necessitated some bonus payments to all employees, as was done in the past years. The just over 300 employees who have been consulted on the sum of the bonus unanimously approved it.
BBCI pays 5% increase The 45 employees at the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) are to receive a 5 per cent wage/salary hike effective from January 01, 2011. GAWU had pressed for an eight (8) per cent increase, noting that the Guyana Government upped its employees’ wages and salaries by 8 per cent. Since the Bridge came into being in 2008 it has given its employees in-
creases in tandem with that of the Government. The Union and the employees are peeved that the Management of the Bridge, which is obtaining a great flow of revenue from tolls by all classes of vehicles traversing the bridge daily, has provided its employees with a pay increase 3 per cent below that of the Government’s 8 per cent. Page Seven
Guysuco Mis-Management Continues Skeldon Bridge to be re-built
Blairmont Bridge to be demolished
The bridge at Skeldon Estate
The Editor Combat Newspaper C/o Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) 59 High Street and Wights Lane, Kingston, Georgetown Dear Comrade, Please publish my letter. I am deeply saddened at the waste of money Guysuco is engaged in. At Skeldon Estate, a concrete bridge was completely constructed at an area called 23 Sawmill Dam in the Block 10 expansion area of the estate’s cultivation. It turned out that the deck of the bridge is too low to allow certain laden cane punts to pass under. As punts
were being towed with canes to the factory for processing at the beginning of the current second crop, they could not pass under the bridge. The deck of the bridge had to be destroyed to allow the punts to pass. The bridge reportedly cost as much as G$15M! Who is/are the person/s who is/are responsible for this bungling? A significant sum of money is to be spent to restructure the bridge. The future of the Corporation continues to be placed in doubt by extremely poor decision making. Yours faithfully, Ex-sugar worker
GAWU 20th Congress to be held next year held on August 17 and 18, 2009, and the Opening Session took place on August 15, 2009. The Union has begun to address preparatory Congress work, including the mobilisation of delegates and observers from the UnDelegates and observers at the Opening Session of the last Congress ion’s membership of 18,000 persons The 20th Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers within the Union’s fourteen (14) barUnion (GAWU) is to take place by mid- gaining units for attendance at our next next year (2012). The last Congress was Congress.
The bridge at Blairmont Estate
Cane harvesters reported to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) about a concrete bridge costing four million dollars(G$4M). The deck of which is about two (2) feet too low to allow loaded cane punts to pass underneath. Cane cutters became aware of the fault of the Bridge after its completion. The Management of the Estate, whose attention was quickly brought to the matter by representatives of the cane cutters, advised that overall work would have to be undertaken to remedy the mistake. Since the bridge was constructed two (2) years ago, the management has been lowering the water level in the navigational canal to allow the canes in the punts to pass under the bridge unhin-
dered. However, the lower water level is causing the bottom of the punts to be dragged over the muddy bottom of the canal, hindering the free movement of the punts and causing greater wear and tear to them. This is another case of the Corporation wasting, through lack of competence, millions of dollars from its cash-strapped coffers. Are we to believe that a highly qualified and sensible managerial workforce of the Corporation would continue to produce sloppy work? Once disciplinary actions are not taken, like those implemented on the ordinary workers over even minor infractions, the culture of waste and mismanagement will not only persist, but will consolidate and expand.
Sugar workers received five (5) per cent hike in wages and salaries for year 2011 arising from the negotiation between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco). The Government approved an additional three (3) per cent increase to
for them. GAWU in a statement complimented the Government for the additional increase noting that the sugar workers’ additional pay rates was to match with other workers in the Public Sector who were awarded on November 03, 2011 an eight (8) per cent rise in the wage and salaries.
Sugar workers receive 8% pay rise
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