The union, GAWU says it has been told that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman was to have sought a subvention at Cabinet yesterday for outstanding payments to workers of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
In a statement yesterday, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) says it was told at a meeting on Monday with Trotman that efforts will also be made to have the GFC repaid for $600m which it had allocated for the former radio station on High Street.
GAWU said that in its capacity as the sole bargaining agent of the workers at GFC it met with Trotman on Monday to discuss the Commission’s current financial status.
GAWU said that the meeting was attended by the Board of Directors and management of the GFC with the union being represented by its General Secretary, Seepaul Narine; Organising Officer, Porandatt Narine, and GFC GAWU Branch Secretary, Hewley Clarke.
Among the concerns raised by GAWU was the regular delay in the payment of salaries and other benefits to the workers with the union pointing out that “salary is personal property and the management had no right to delay such payments beyond the stipulated pay day.”
The union said that the Minister’s attention was drawn to the fact that the GFC has been charged with additional responsibilities without receiving any additional resources to meet its new obligations. The Union referred to a large number of employees employed by the GFC who are engaged in tasks reportedly unrelated to the Commission and urged that “given the roles of the Commission in protecting a significant natural resource of our people, the State, we felt, was obligated to provide appropriate support to ensure that the Commission effectively discharges its expanded mandate.”
GAWU also stated its concern regarding the $600 million invested by GFC in the former Radio Station property on High Street in addition to “other debts, some of which are owed for protracted periods to the Commission.” The union said that the Minister was reminded that the Forestry Act stipulates that any shortfall in GFC’s expenditure be charged to the Consolidated Fund.
According to the release, Trotman made a commitment to put GAWU’s concerns to Cabinet yesterday in an effort to obtain a subvention for the GFC as an immediate relief. The Minister told the meeting that he would “advise the Government to divest the High Street property and repay the GFC its investment,” and committed to further engagements with the Union.
