Sugar workers attached to the Skeldon Estate are pressing the sugar company, Guysuco, to be fair in the disbursements of benefits.
A group of workers protested today outside the Skeldon estate.
In a statement, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union explained that the workers are upset that gratuity continues to be paid to employees at the managerial. supervisory and clerical levels while the same payment is not offered to the employees who work in the field, factory and allied areas.
The protesting workers said just like the employees who benefitted from the gratuity payments, they were offered fixed-term contracts. They are now contending that they see no reason for them not to benefit from the payments awarded to the other workers.
GAWU today said it has been trying to address the matter with Guysuco but despite several putting forward rationale arguments, the company said it could not agree to offer all of the workers the same benefits.
GAWU said Guysuco did not advance any reason or explanation for its decision.
It was that decision that triggered today’s protest.
“The workers having learnt of the Corporation’s adamancy on the matter became deeply upset and felt cheated. They indicated to the GAWU they felt lesser to their colleagues at the other levels of the estate”, Guysuco stated.
GAWU said it will be advancing its representation and will seek the involvement of the Ministry of Labour through conciliation.
In the meantime, the Union and the workers are hoping that Guysuco will review its position.
Two weeks ago, Guysuco faced a protest by workers of its Albion estate over a cutback in their earnings because of the floods. That matter has since been resolved.
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