Dear Editor,
The GAWU’s attention was drawn to Mr Lancelot Hyman’s letter – GAWU’s statement avoided responsibility, inflated modest developments and sidestepped central issue confronting sugar workers – appearing in the January 03, 2026 Stabroek News. The Union appreciates that Mr Hyman has, from all impressions, taken the time, care, and concern to examine the Union’s 2025 end-of-year statement. We must, however, address some of the contentions advanced by the letter writer.
While Mr Hyman did read our statement, we remain concerned whether he carefully examined our expressions. Or was it he reading it with a jaundiced point of view? The Union did not express the view that sugar output was at its highest levels in recent times. We did acknowledge that sugar production was higher than the 2024 output. Where is the revisionism?
The author highlighted that 400,000 tonnes of canes could not be harvested in 2025. We do not have such data at hand and, therefore, would not comment on the figures quoted. The Union, however, is aware that quantities of canes could not be harvested during 2025 and would be harvested this year. In terms of the magnitude of the loss quoted, again, in the absence of verifiable data, we would not offer any comment. We must add, contrary to the author’s belief, that workers’ turnout was higher in this crop than it had been previously. Such outcomes are not happenstance but rather part of coordinated efforts to encourage worker productivity.
We must add, however, that assuming the loss quoted was determined by utilising the most superior prices for sugar obtained by the Corporation vis-à-vis the canes reportedly unharvested would infer a tonnes of cane to tonnes of sugar ratio of closer to 40. This does not align with real data during 2025. It does appear to us that Mr Hyman was either misled or was engaged in mischievousness.
In respect of the contention that GAWU opposed Mr Panday’s contract non-renewal, the writer may wish to offer some context to his position. Given this and previous writings on sugar, we presume that he would have read our statement of October 28, 2024. We believe it would be beneficial for him to re-examine our position.
We are told about the industrial situation in the sugar industry. It is instructive to note that in 2025, the minimum wage in the sugar industry rose to $100,000 per month, while efforts were made to address other issues affecting workers. Through the Union’s leadership and efforts, sugar workers are in the third year of a multi-year collective agreement that will see workers aggregately benefitting from an additional five billion dollars ($5B). This is in addition to improvements in OSH and other benefits. This is in addition to resolving grievances and other matters, whether local or central.
We thank Mr Hyman for his letter, although we note that several of his contentions require careful re-examination and alignment with reality. It is evident, in our view, that the author has proffered views which seek to distort and obfuscate; this is most concerning. The GAWU remains committed to its members in the sugar industry and elsewhere, seeking to promote their rights, protect their benefits, and realise even greater gains.
Yours faithfully
Seepaul Narine
President
GAWU
