SILWFC workers take protest action

The almost twenty five (25) employees of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) staged a protest and picketing exercise today (7th December, 2009) outside the headquarters of SILWFC in Barrack Street, Kingston to have an agreement improving wages/salaries and other fringe benefits reached between their union – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) implemented.

SILWFC and GAWU agreed seven (7) months ago – in May, 2009 to a nine (9) per cent wage/salary increase to all employees up to the level of Senior Clerk and eight (8) per cent for those above the level of Senior Clerk.

Despite reminders to SILWFC by the Union and the employees who have been seeking, for months now, to get their new rates of pay retroactive to 1st January, 2009 honoured they are not provided with any answers.

It is rumoured that the Chairman of the Committee is seeking to renege on the wage/salary agreement. It will be impossible for him to succeed because the Agreement, a copy is herewith attached, is legally enforceable.