Sugar production in jeopardy as Uitvlugt workers strike, stalls commencement of 2nd crop grinding

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Tuesday expressed grave concern in relation to the strike action taken by the Uitvlugt Estate’s Factory workers.

With the factory grinding for only 14 hours in the first crop due to a mechanical failure, GuySuCo said operations for the second crop were set to commence on Tuesday.

However, disappointingly, the factory workers decided to proceed on strike.

The workers are demanding ‘holiday with pay’ (HWP) for the first crop of 2022.

“Management had earlier addressed this issue at a meeting held on May 31, 2022 with the GAWU’s Union Representative attached to the Estate. At that meeting, the Estate Manager informed the Union Representatives that for HWP to be facilitated, a factor will have to be established which requires at one (1) week of grinding,” a statement from GuySuCo noted.

The Estate is reportedly fully ready to commence grinding operations for the second crop, in pursuit of a sugar production target of 10,800 MT.

Some 223 punts of cane were in dock, ready to be crushed.

“This strike action by the Factory workers does not augur well for the Estate and the Corporation.”

With Blairmont and Albion Estates expected to commence grinding within the next two weeks, it is paramount for Uitvlugt Estate to produce sugar to fulfill the needs of the local market.

The Corporation, as a consequence, urged all employees of Uitvlugt Estate to work harmoniously and also called on the union to provide the support needed at this time.