HGP Nightly News – WIN leader and MP Azruddin Mohamed, alongside MP Harbhajan and Regional Councillor Devendra Singh, visited sugar workers at the Albion Sugar Estate, where workers raised a string of grievances they say are squeezing their livelihoods.
Workers told the visiting team they have not received retroactive payments covering January to August 2025, and said their holiday payments are also outstanding. They also complained that they have not been receiving pay slips.
Workers further raised concerns about work arrangements out of crop, saying President Irfaan Ali had promised sugar workers six days of work during that period ahead of the elections, but they were reportedly given four days instead.
On the production side, workers claimed that cane is being cut and left for two to three days before it is weighed, which they say reduces the weight and results in lower earnings.
They also pointed to rising living costs, arguing that $5,500 cannot cover bills while also supporting children in school.
During the engagement, Estate Manager Yutishwar Manna and Agriculture Manager Thomas arrived and told Mohamed and MP Harbhajan that workers would receive their retroactive pay, holiday pay, and other outstanding payments today, January 16, 2026.
