Pointing to sections of the Labour laws and Guyana’s acceptance of international labour conventions, the PNCR said “we can only conclude that the failure of the Minister, to protect and uphold the legally entitled rights of the workers, under the 3-year duration (2008-2010) Collective Labour Agreement (C.L.A), between the recognised Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (G.B. & G.W.U.) and the RUSAL owned BCGI at Kwakwani, represent a gross and discriminatory dereliction of his responsibilities to the workers of Guyana.” The union and the company have been locked in a dispute for months.
The PNCR, in a statement yesterday, pointed out that the Laws of Guyana, particularly the Labour Act Cap. 98:01 and the Trade Union Recognition Act, Chapter 98:07 confer substantial powers on the Minister of Labour to take prompt and decisive action to settle cases of trade disputes and protect the rights of Guyanese workers.
The statement said that the powers include: inquiring into the causes and circumstances of the difference; taking such steps as to him may seem expedient for the purpose of promoting a settlement of the difference and; with the consent of both parties to the difference, or of either of them, or without their consent, refer the matter for settlement to the arbitration of an arbitration tribunal consisting of one or more persons appointed by the Minister.
The party also pointed out that the Government of Guyana is a signatory to ILO Conventions Nos. 87, 98, 135,154,158 and 163 which impose the obligation on the Government to protect and advance the rights and interests of Guyanese workers.
Despite being armed with these powers and obligations, Nadir failed to protect and uphold the legally entitled rights of the bauxite workers and in the circumstances, the Party charged. As a result, it said it submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly the no confidence motion against Nadir.
