Officials from the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour and the Ministry of Natural Resources, on Monday met with aggrieved Guyana Goldfields Inc. workers, who ended their strike four days ago.
Over 100 workers had downed their tools last week Tuesday after fears that they would be made redundant and not paid severance. Those fears arose after workers heard that a private mining contractor would be taking over the operations of most of the company and would be bringing in their contracted employees.
Subsequently, on Thursday, the workers’ unofficial union – the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG) – met with Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, and Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, among other ministry officials. At the meeting, head of the NMWUG Sherwayne Downer, said he was given the assurance that none of the workers would lose their jobs and the union’s application would be expedited.
Shortly after, on Friday, the company announced via a statement on their website that the strike had ended and that work had resumed at their Aurora, Cuyuni-Mazaruni site.
Speaking to Stabroek News on Monday, Downer said that while he was not invited to the meeting– despite requests by the workers– ministry officials, including Ogle and other representatives, visited the Aurora site on Monday morning and had a lengthy discussion with the workers.
Downer said that at the meeting, the workers raised issues concerning the union, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) payments not being deducted from their salaries and paid over, as well as the issue of having to work 28 days on the site while only being able to spend 14 days off the site.
“Another issue that rose was some of the workers working two and three years without being confirmed. There is supposed to be a probation period where you have to work for three months and after that you are either retained or let go based on your performance but the company has workers there for two and three years without confirming them,” Downer explained, while also adding the issue of not having halal meat on site for Muslim workers to consume was also raised.
He said that from the communication he received from the workers, Ogle made a commitment to have some of the issues addressed within two weeks.
Stabroek News tried to contact Ogle but was unsuccessful.
“The Union is very happy because the workers’ interest is first and foremost and takes precedence above any other interest, including the union. We were very disappointed we weren’t invited to go because the company had said that they were ready for dialogue with the government and the representatives of the workers,” he said, while noting that they are still happy the workers grievances were heard by the Government.
As it relates to their application to represent the workers, Downer said that their application for the Aurora site and its workers will be submitted in one week as the process began on Monday.
“I would like to say it again, the Union is very appreciative and thankful for the confidence the workers would’ve placed in us and the Ministry and the Government for accommodating us even though we are unofficial,” he said.
The statement had said that as a result of the three operational days lost, the company estimates that approximately 22,500 tonnes of ore were not processed. However, full year production guidance remains unaffected at 145,000-160,000 ounces of gold, it said.
“Personnel are being re-mobilised and the site is ramping back up to normal operations in a phased and safe manner. The company has agreed to a dialogue with employee representatives and Government authorities to resolve any outstanding issues in full compliance with Guyanese labour law,” Suresh Kalatil, Senior Vice President and Chief Operation Officer, was quoted as saying.
