The main opposition party is calling on the government to state the terms and conditions under which Russian bauxite giant United Company (UC) RUSAL acquired the operations of the Aroaima Mining Company (AMC).

Following the recent strike by workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCG), a RUSAL subsidiary, PNCR MP Lance Carberry said last week that his party had been told that “severe pressure” was brought to bear on the workers to end the strike through the instrumentality of the government, which he accused displaying a “shameful and anti-working class” attitude.

“It is, therefore, legitimate to ask whether the Jagdeo administration made any secret deals with RUSAL that has led to the workers having to labour under conditions which its own Ministry of Labour would classify as sub-standard,” he said, questioning whether tax holidays or other concessions had been granted to the company.

Over 200 employees were reportedly on strike after BCG refused to fix the air conditioner (AC) units in the trucks used to transport bauxite from the mine. Gavin Lewis, a heavy-duty machinery operator who transported bauxite from the mines using a truck, was rushed for medical attention at approximately 1.30 am. Workers blamed Lewis’ “sudden bad health” on the fact that the AC units of BCG’s trucks are not functioning.

The trucks’ AC units, workers told Stabroek News, are among the most vital safety mechanisms for operators; especially those working the night/early morning shift. They counter the high temperature in the vehicle’s heated cabin and keep the “harmful dust and other particles” out. However, the trucks’ AC units have not been functioning for months, workers said, leaving operators to brave the dust and heat. This is what sparked the strike.

Presidential Advisor on Empowerment Odinga Lumumba was named by Carberry as having played a leading role in forcing the workers to end the strike, without any commitment to address the concerns of the workers. “Since Mr Lumumba is not the Chief Labour Officer or an Occupational Health and Safety Officer or Inspector, or is he known to be involved in any of the union activities at RUSAL, the Jagdeo administration should let the Guyanese nation know what was his official role and status in the negotiations with the representatives of the workers to end the strike at RUSAL,” Carberry said.

In 2006, RUSAL acquired the assets of the Aroaima Mining Company (AMC) and took control of the financial and production activities of the company, including its properties, infrastructure and deposits (with aggregate reserves of 96 million tonnes of bauxite).