| …workers earn extra pay Despite the many challenges it has been facing for the past several months, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates continue to record positive gains during the second crop for this year.The sugar company in a press statement expressed its optimism that the second crop target will be achieved as several estates recorded positive gains, beginning with the fact that for the fourth consecutive week, production exceeded 10,000 tonnes of sugar. As a result of this, Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont, Enmore and Wales estates workers earned an additional day’s pay each for exceeding their target for the week.This trend, the press statement noted was not realized since mid 2000.Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Errol Hanoman in acknowledging the achievement, remarked that it is a tangible milestone as the Corporation accelerates its drive towards a sustained improvement in overall production.He also cited the workers and management’s high morale, as a significant factor in achieving the target.Meanwhile, it was also noted that the Corporation has acquired a molasses storage facility, which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean.The geo-membrane facility has a capacity for 15,000 tonnes of molasses and is currently being installed at the Skeldon Estate.The performance trials on the Punt Dumper at Skeldon commenced yesterday, as the design capacity of the dumper caters for 350 tonnes of cane per hour and the tests will be undertaken over two eight-hour periods.Over at the Enmore Estate on the East Coast of Demerara, pile driving and civil works have commenced on Project Gold and designs which were recently submitted by the contractor are currently being reviewed, the statement noted.The multi-million dollar project aims to establish GuySuCo’s second sugar packaging facility which is four times the capacity of Blairmount.Last month, workers at the Wales Estate downed their tools and proceeded to strike action,Air Max 270 Sale, after GuySuCo refused to raise their day’s pay by $40 after claiming unsatisfactory working conditions, namely the fact that they cannot harvest the cane effectively, since the fields had not been cleared of vines, grass and bushes.The Corporation had offered the workers $130 extra on a day’s pay for the troubles they face in harvesting the cane. However, the workers demanded more – a total of $660.This was later rectified following a meeting between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers’ Union (GAWU).A comprise was met, which saw workers being paid $383 for the harvesting of the beds in question.While, all of this was taking place, workers at the Enmore Estate had also proceeded to strike action, after the Enmore harvesting gang did not reach an agreement with their foreman on a number of issues.This was later sorted out and the workers resumed duties. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which manages operations across the country’s eight sugar estates, last year recorded a $4 billion loss and started this year owing its creditors $3 billion. |
