Payment differences sparked separate protest demonstrations among rice farmers and sugar workers across the country on Thursday.
Reports out of Anna Regina along the Essequibo Coast indicate that the Rice Producers Association (RPA) has embarked on a picketing exercise outside the office of Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
Dozens of rice farmers are demanding government’s intervention into payment delays that have occurred on the Essequibo Coast. There are threats to continue this protest action until government intervenes even as plans are afoot for the harvesting of a large quantity of rice in coming days.
Efforts by News Source to solicit a response from Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on this protest action along with another protest by sugar workers at the Uitvlugt Estate were unsuccessful.
Over at Uitvlugt, Hundreds of sugar workers continued their protest action which started on Monday, demanding better wages.
President of the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand told News Source, during a telephone interview that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) must reach a settlement with the workers soon lest the upcoming crop is severely affected.
He said a meeting between the two sides is planned for Friday where it is expected that the matter will be resolved.
“Cane cutters are on strike over pricing and because of the bad conditions of the field. They are requesting higher pay… the Union are going to make another effort tomorrow to see if this can be resolved,” he said.
GuySuCo earlier this week said the strike action was one of the worst to occur at the Uitvlugt Estate. The company claimed that cane harvesters are demanding exorbitant payment for obstacles in the field.
According to GuySuCo, a field visit was conducted on Monday by both Central/Local Management and Central/Local Union in order to resolve the dispute. The action by the workers has brought sugar production at that location to a halt.
In the meanwhile, the condition of the canes burnt and the fields continue to deteriorate, GuySuCo noted.
The government recently restated its commitment to ensuring that the needs of rice farmers and sugar workers are met and promised not only early payments but to turnaround the current state of both industries. The government is currently looking for new markets for rice while it also awaits the conclusion of an inquiry into the state of affairs at GuySuCo.
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