Guyana struggles with manual labour shortage

Guyanese authorities are grappling with the problem of a shortage of manual labour in the country’s sugar industry.



The Guyana government and the major sugar workers’ union, which is aligned to the governing party, differ on why workers are increasingly distancing themselves from back-breaking labour on the estates.



Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud is convinced however, that one of the key factors is because the offspring of older sugar workers are now more educated and prefer to get jobs in offices.



The government says with fewer workers available to cut and plant cane is costing the state-run Guyana Sugar Company more.



That’s because smaller amounts of cane are going to factories.