Family’s sole breadwinner drops dead at work

Latchman Balram
An Auchlyne, East Berbice family is contemplating their next move and a possible source of income, after their sole breadwinner, Latchman Balram, a 35-year-old sugar worker who was attached to the Albion Estate, collapsed and died while on duty Tuesday night.

Balram, who had been working at the estate for over nine years, is being described by his colleagues as a very quiet and easy-going individual.

The man’s wife, Meenaj Balram, during an interview with this newscast, noted that her husband had been providing for her and their three children, ages 14, nine and seven, over the years, but his sudden demise has now forced her to seek employment and raise the children until they are able to provide for themselves.

The woman said that her husband was not known as a man with any medical history, and was always cautious about his health since he worked very hard and tirelessly at the estate. He was once a cane harvester, and was transferred from that gang and became a tug mate, where he operated a tug which is used to pull cane punts and labour punts in areas where accessibility is limited due to rains.

The distraught wife recounted that she received a call from the estate just after 10pm on Tuesday, informing her that her husband had an accident while on duty, and that it wasn’t anything major, but she should head to the Port Mourant Hospital.

“When I go to the hospital, I waited like two hours before some estate people come and ask who is Balram wife and so. Couple minutes after, I see a police jeep and a hearse coming in, and they told me my husband is no more”

The woman said they took her into the hospital and allowed her a few minutes to see her husband, and then she had to leave. She noted that there were a few marks on her husband’s face. She said that she is not satisfied with the way in which the estate handled the situation, and wants answers in relation to her husband’s death.

She was told by management of the estate that, as of now, they will not take any responsibility for funeral arrangements or anything of the sort, and depending on the results of the Post Mortem (PM), they will then decide on assisting her with funeral costs.

Balram is hoping that the PM will provide more clarity, and that the relevant authorities will come forward and assist her in whatever way they can.