They are also urging too, the implementation of drastic measures to "instill confidence and some sense of security among fearful coastal villagers and workers."

The call by the two unions which represent thousands of workers in the sugar industry, comes against the background of the increasing frequency, boldness and obvious premeditation with which sugar workers are being targeted as victims of robbery with violence.

The unions noted in a release, that recently on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, cane cutters have been robbed and beaten by bandits operating on the periphery of the canefields.

Among the reported incidents of attack against sugar workers are the robbery of a wristwatch and cash from Non Pariel and Lusignan field workers; the brutal beating of Tekchand a Field Foreman of East Coast Demerara at Providence, East Bank Demerara during August month-end; and the robbery by four gunmen last weekend of the salaries of five canecutters, just after they had received their salaries from La Bonne Intention pay office.

The unions have suggested that if the Police Force is hard-pressed, understaffed or under-equipped by itself, each Police Station should allocate a rank to organise and lead villagers in daily/nightly community defence patrols - armed with appropriate weapons and communication equipment.

Also, once confidentiality is guaranteed, some sugar workers can assist the Police in locating strategic sites used by robbers or would-be bandits, in the backlands and canefields, in proximity to certain villagers, they said.

Contending that they "cannot stay idle and silent in the face of this onslaught against hard-toiling members - all part of this disgraceful crime surge undermining society's law-abiding foundation", GAWU and NAACIE pledged their active support to all law enforcement agencies and committed themselves to offering certain innovative recommendations.