The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr Rajendra Singh along with members of GuySuCo’s Industrial Relations Department are proposing a halt in operations consequent to the Corporation’s failure to pay Senior and Junior staffers for the month of May – 2015.

Dr Singh has indicated that the Corporation might have to cease its operations on all Estates with effect from Sunday May, 31 unless funding to the Corporation becomes available within a few days.

This is according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

In a release late Monday, the two bodies claimed they were informed of this development at a meeting earlier the afternoon.

“Should the Corporation cease its operations, the CEO explained all employees – waged and salaried – except security personnel would not be provided with work from (Sunday) May 31, 2015,” the statement noted. The CEO also advised the Unions that the Government has been apprised of the situation.

GAWU and NAACIE believe that the ceasing of operations by the Corporation would further jeopardize the state of the industry and impact negatively on some 16,000 workers.

The two Unions are seeking the new Government help to ensure the continuation of the industry’s operation at this crucial time.

The new Agriculture Minister was sworn into office on Friday and it is unclear whether he has been briefed on the latest development.

Guysuco has been facing financial problems for several years under the previous administration despite several attempts to improve its productivity.

The CEO of Guysuco was a candidate on the list of the People’s Progressive Party at the recent elections. As part of a restructuring plan by the new government, he is expected to be replaced by a professional.

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