Sugar workers strike

Guyana\'s sugar industry has reportedly lost close to half a million US dollars as a result of a two-day strike by workers demanding higher wages.



The company said it may even lose even more as it seems unlikely that it will meet its supply target for the European Union.



However, workers at one of the estates have been returning to work.



This has raised hopes that the management of the state-owned sugar company and the major workers union in the industry can resume wage negotiations.



The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union is demanding a 15 percent wage hike, but the company said it can only afford 4.5 percent.



The wage-bill of the Guyana Sugar Corporation is said to be more than 55 percent of its earnings.