Guyana: Ali Invites GAWU to Manage a Sugar Estate as GuySuCo Production Struggles After G$40 Billion Investment

President Irfaan Ali has invited the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) to take on the management and operation of one of GuySuCo’s remaining sugar estates. This offer is framed as a challenge for the union leadership to demonstrate their capabilities in contrast to the Corporation’s management, which has struggled to meet production targets.

The invitation was extended during commemorations marking the 78th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs, who were five sugar workers killed by colonial-era police during a 1948 labour dispute at Enmore Estate on the East Coast Demerara. Speaking at the event, Ali described the management opportunity as a chance for GAWU to take a leading role. He stated, “We also invited the union — if you would like to take up the mantle of management — to take one of their estates and make it a model. We give you that challenge openly to take one of their estates and to manage it.”

This invitation comes amid ongoing challenges at GuySuCo, despite significant state investment of over G$40 billion between 2020 and 2026, aimed at reopening closed estates and upgrading factory infrastructure. Production figures have shown a decline, with output reaching only 88,000 tonnes in 2020, falling to 58,000 tonnes in 2021, and further decreasing to 47,000 tonnes in 2022, before slightly increasing to 59,600 tonnes in 2025.

President Ali defended the government’s investment, stating it was necessary to prevent the collapse of the industry. He emphasized the need for improvements in GuySuCo’s performance, warning that consequences for underperformance would follow, although such consequences have not yet been realized.

To address labor shortages, the President mentioned that mechanized cane harvesting is being considered, with up to 44% of GuySuCo’s lands converted for machinery use. Additionally, drones are being introduced to replace vehicles for field inspections and fertilization.

GAWU President Seepaul Narine responded positively to the President’s announcement, framing the government’s efforts as historic. GAWU welcomed a G$16.4 billion “full rescue mission” for the sugar industry, expressing commitment to ensuring that taxpayer funds lead to real improvements for workers and estates. However, the union had not formally accepted or responded in detail to the management challenge issued by the President at the event.

Source: hgptv.com