The recent industrial action called by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) has officially ended, and it is expected that all workers will return to work by this weekend. This is according toChief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Errol Hanoman.
He pointed out that current sugar production stands at 215,061 tonnes, with just over 12,000 tonnes needed to be produced to meet the set 2015 target. The latter figure, the CEO said, can be achieved, and once the weather and other circumstances permit, close to 6,000 tonnes could be added to the final production target.As of today, production stood at 133,918 tonnes for the second crop. The last time GuySuCo achieved a second crop target was in 2004.
The 2015 sugar production target is set at 227,443 tonnes.
It was pointed out that if it were not for the previous three- day strike in October, the set production target would have been achieved this week, according to GuySuCo’s calculations. Hanoman explained that once there is full resumption of work and production restarts, then GuySuCo will resume dialogue with GAWU.GuySuCo is offering 2.7 days API which will be paid by March 2016.
Last Saturday some workers went on strike over the API offered by the corporation. Hanoman said that talks on Friday with GAWU, regarding the API were left unfinished, after GAWU officials indicated that they wanted to consult their membership. However what followed was strike action.
