More sugar worker confrontations likely

COUVA SOUTH MP, Kelvin Ramnath, is warning of worse confrontations between Agriculture Minister John Rahael, and sugar workers if the Minister returns to the sugar belt.

He said on Friday Government was “reaping the fruits” of neglecting to hold meaningful discussions with any of the stakeholders of Caroni {1975} Limited. “ This is just the beginning, the next time is going to be far worse,” he said. The Opposition MP said the Manning administration seemed to be guided by the policy of “take a decision first, and consult later”, adding that further action would depend on Government’s continued attitude towards the sugar workers. “We are not a violent people but we will take whatever action is deemed necessary to secure the rights of our people,” Ramnath declared. He slammed the attendance of several CECEP workers at a meeting in Couva on Thursday, saying Rahael was creating his own mongoose gang in the country.

He said if Rahael was serious about meeting with sugar workers, he would ignore the advice of PNM activist Satish Ramroop and meet the workers on their own turf at Gilbert Park or Sevilla Club. Ramnath said he was inviting Prime Minister Manning to intervene and to hold “meaningful discussions” with the parties representing workers at Caroni Ltd. “Reasonable men can arrive at a reasonable decision,” he said, adding that the UNC was not against the restructuring process but at the way it was being done. A meeting between sugar workers and Agriculture Minister John Rahael was aborted on Thursday evening after the discussion on Caroni’s VSEP plan deteriorated into a shouting match.