Georgetown– Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has emphasis the need for workers to cooperate with the Management of GuySuCo, so as to ensure that the target of 25,000 tonnes of sugar to be produced this year at the Enmore Estate, is achieved.
The Agriculture Minister during a meeting today with Enmore estate workers said that of the 25, 291 tonnes the estate is expected to produce this year, 12,633 tonnes is expected to be achieved in the first crop and 12,658 in the second crop.
However, sugar workers stated that for this to be achieved a better labour force, additional bell-loaders and a pay increase is necessary.
The meeting, which saw the participation of scores of workers is aimed at addressing, constraints currently faced, in an effort to ensure a more diversifed and modernised industry.
Among some of the issues raised were;- NIS contribution not forwarded to the scheme, equipment for harvesting, salary increase and a secondary school to be constructed in the area.
“GuySuCo’s management is currently investigating the issue on non-payment of benefits since there have been a lot of complaints across the industry and we are going to try and sort this out. A lot of monies are being invested into this venture,” the Minister said.
Minister Persaud said that the sugar industry is facing challenges, regionally; but with the current high prices there has been market interest, coupled with the Enmore packaging plant coming on stream, a 40 percent increase over bulk sugar is expected.
To further support the industry’s ‘Turn around plan’ the Government will make available to the corporation a further $1B to assist in clearing expenses and salary increases.
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