PPP dismayed by lack of success by

security forces to locate sugar workers

- GAWU organising a protest in sugar industry

(Time for a new sugar union)

The People's Progressive Party is urging the security forces to redouble their efforts to put an end to the terrorism that is being experienced on the East Coast of Demerara.

A release from the ruling party on the disappearance of two GUYSUCO watchmen last Saturday stated that the report on the incident is most disturbing.

“This has come merely two months after two others had disappeared in the same area. It cannot be dismissed that they are acts which are seemingly centrally directed. Coming so soon after the first similar incident suggests those are calculated acts. The question is to what ends,” the release stated.

The People's Progressive Party stated that they are dismayed by the lack of success by the law enforcement agencies to solve the first act of disappearance.

The release added that there is clearly need for other appropriate measures to avoid this type of terrorism and concomitant fear that has settled on the entire communities on the East Coast of Demerara.

“We look forward to results. And the people too have a right to expect positive results from our enforcement agencies,” the release noted.

The Party extends its solidarity to the families of the missing workers and hopes that they would be found safely.

Meanwhile the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers' Union (GAWU) in a release stated that they are deeply saddened to learn of the disappearance of two other sugar workers, Sukhram Dhani and Hardat, who vanished from their worksite in the backdam of the East Demerara estates.

On September 23, 2005 the men, who were last seen by their families at about 2.00 pm, went to work as watchmen.

Early the next morning they were discovered missing from their post by cane-cutters who were taking up work to harvest canes. The matter was promptly reported to the management of the estate and the families of the workers.

Just four months ago on May 21, 2005 two sugar workers, Sampersaud Tarranauth and Maikhram Sawh disappeared under similar circumstances while they were in the backdam of the same East Demerara estates. They have not been found dead or alive, and the Police Force is yet to provide a statement of the final outcome of its investigation.

"Against the backdrop of the long-standing criminal activity along the East Coast Demerara, and the criminal incidents in the backdam of East Demerara estates, it is questionable whether the Guyana Sugar Corporation has enforced adequate measures to make its workplace safe. It has been reported that Dhani and Hardat were visited by the estate's security patrol about 03:00hrs on Saturday. Reports reaching the Union belied this information,” the GAWU release stated.

The release added that both Dhani and Hardat were at work just a short distance away from the village that is known as a criminal haven on the East Coast of Demerara. It was incumbent in the circumstances for the Corporation to have a proper communication and monitoring system of the workers at their work site. Such arrangement was not in place.

The Union said among other things, “If indeed the men's disappearance is caused by criminal activity associated with a now well-known East Coast location, GAWU wonders for how long Guyanese must be held under siege and ransom by these elements. If indeed criminals are behind the men's disappearance, GAWU recommends drastic corrective action to flush out these criminals from their safe havens.” No action, to the Union 's knowledge, has been embarked upon in this direction.

What about large, densely growing bush that the authorities indicated would be cleared? Little it seems was done, and yet there has been no explanation for the piecemeal action.

GAWU stated that they wish to assure the aggrieved of its deepest sympathy at the apparent loss of their beloved ones. The union is in solidarity with them and fully supports the search by members of the police force and the army, as well as the resources employed by GUYSUCO with a view to finding the missing workers.

“While giving our support to the measures of the law-enforcement agencies, we await eagerly to hear of a positive outcome. We at the same time, urge other innovative steps to deal with the situation, especially at that location.”

In the meantime the Union is examining the possibility of organising a protest across the sugar industry to register the Union 's concern about the rising criminal activity in the country.