GuySuCo and the Guyanese Community

The Guyana Sugar Corporation contributes significantly to the country's economy and society to such an extent that national economic fortunes are inextricably linked with that of the sugar industry. In year 2000, GuySuCo's net foreign exchange earnings reached US$88 million making the impact of the sugar industry undeniable and its influence on economic and social life undisputed. To understand the important role GuySuCo plays within Guyana, we must first look at the multifunctional aspects of the sugar industry and understand its impact on all sectors of the country.

The country's reliance on sugar production as a means of income can be seen in the distribution of wages to sugar industry employees and its multiplying effect in related industries. It is through sugar that the country has the capability to maintain the training and development of its manpower. It is through sugar that rural development and the maintenance of a balance between town and country can take place. And finally, sugar contributes to health and safety through providing primary health care and education to some of its citizens.

Income Distribution and the Multiplier Effect

Through sugar sales and production, a vast and varied wave of sugar income is distributed among the people of Guyana.  Its presence is tangible as it channels through GuySuCo’s workforce and then slowly permeates into the sectors that rely on sugar as their staple source of income. As the largest single employer in Guyana with a labour force of eighteen thousand people, GuySuCo’s employment cost for 2000 amounted to US$63.5 million. This income distribution effect is multiplied towards other leading industries that depend on sugar related activities for their business such as the shipping, retail/supermarket chains and the agricultural equipment suppliers thus creating additional job opportunities and upward mobility for Guyana’s labour force.

Training and Manpower Development

GuySuCo's goodwill is far reaching and can be seen in the development of the skills of its labour force and in the provision of opportunities for educational, recreational and sports activities for both the sugar industry and the country as a whole. Last year, GuySuCo contributed US$377,000 to maintaining the welfare of its estates and establishing recreational centers for youth development and community advancement.

Rural Development and Maintenance of Town and Country

As a corporate citizen, GuySuCo is making significant endowments to house the nation through land development programs, which provide house lots for sugar workers and staff.  Since 1993, approximately 15,000 acres of land have been transferred to the government as a donation to the national housing development scheme to develop rural areas in the hopes of providing a firm infrastructure in these emerging communities and guarding against rural exodus towards the city. Substantial contributions are made to a wide range of charitable organizations, youth development, health improvement, cultural and heritage preservation projects to provide a balance between town and country. Subsidies have been provided for conferences, seminars, exhibitions and events that enhance the country's development.  In 2000, significant sums were granted towards the rehabilitation and maintenance of community development centers to ensure the provision of excellent sports facilities and the development of sporting talents throughout the country. GuySuCo's human and material resources are also readily available to assist in community improvement projects such as drainage and supplying fresh water for the outlying areas and local and regional emergencies that often arise.

Health and Safety

Our policies in health, safety and environmental protection are implemented with the best modern practices to provide for the health of our employees, their dependents and pensioners. Primary care is also provided by our qualified medical staff to outlying communities.