The Government will ensure Sugar workers get their due – President Granger
DPI, Georgetown, Guyana, Friday, December 15, 2017
President David Granger today, reiterated that his government will do all in its power to ensure that workers laid off from the cash strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCO) receive their just due.
Speaking during a year end Press Conference held at the Ministry of the Presidency earlier today, the Head of State said, “As far as the retrenchment benefits are concerned, government is responsible for ensuring that the sugar corporation fulfils its obligation to the workers.”
In addition, President David Granger said that while there are four major institutions involved in the transition process of GuySuCo, the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), which operates under the ambit of the Ministry of Finance, is ultimately responsible for concluding the processes involved.
He explained, “As far as the plan is concerned, there needs to be a lot more work by the third agency which is called the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), which comes under the Ministry of Finance. That is the agency which will be responsible for the smooth transition of those parts of the industry which will not be remaining in production under the Guyana Sugar Corporation.”
The Head of State further stated that the work of the SPU is still being done, “They are in negotiation, not only with the sugar corporation but also with foreign investors, and I expect that before too long we will have a plan that will explain in greater detail how the lands will be disposed of.”
Just last week hundreds of workers of the sugar company started receiving letters making their service to the sugar company redundant at the end of the year. This move is in keeping with the corporation’s undertaking to move the company to a state of debt neutrality by year 2020.
Since coming to office in May 2015, the government has granted subventions in excess of $30B and has budgeted an additional $6.3B for 2018.
By: Kidackie Amsterdam