Sacked workers of Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), a subsidiary of Russian Aluminum (RUSAL) continue to hold firm to their position that the company needs to resolve a long-running dispute over wages and salaries.
The workers, who have been peacefully protesting the actions of the company for the past five months, remain on the riverfront keeping a watchful eye on a barrier erected across the Berbice River to prevent BCGI vessels from using the river.
Branch Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) Leslie Junor on Tuesday told Stabroek News that the workers remain committed to fighting for their rights.
He explained that while there have been no updates in talks between the union and the company, workers remain optimistic that the matter will end in their favour.
Junor told Stabroek News that a small group of workers remain on the riverfront keeping watch and their actions are supported by the union. He stated that the past months have been difficult and many families have had to tap into their saving to survive.
He also stated that because of the political situation, they have not been able to access any financial assistance from the government.
The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), which is government’s holding company had paid the salary and wages of staff in February. The Union after applying to the Ministry of Finance was granted a $30 million grant, which was used to pay staff. That was a one-time payment
It was explained that the COVID-19 restrictions have also hindered their movement as only a small group of persons can be present on the riverfront at any one time.
Junor said that the workers are standing by their call for RUSAL to remove their operations from Guyana.
Another worker told Stabroek News that their actions illustrate how serious they are about their welfare.
“They want to pay us next to nothing and expect us to accept this and when we reject it they want to pack up and go away. We cannot accept this and we will not accept this,” the worker declared.
The man stated that barges filled with extracted ore remain in the loading dock at the operations site.
Due to the blockage of the river, barges belonging to BCGI have been docked at their wharf close to the mine site and are unable to travel to New Amsterdam to be offloaded.
In May, this newspaper had reported that the current political impasse has stymied the progress of labour talks and an agreement of arbitration to be signed into order.
General Secretary of the GB&GWU, Lincoln Lewis, told Stabroek News that the dispute between the two parties is set for arbitration and explained that they will only be able to start talks once the political impasse is resolved.
According to Lewis, despite claims that the Russian-owned company has halted operations, the law remains clear on how the matter should be dealt with.
“There are people who are saying RUSAL wrap up their operations, but they have property in this country and the law is very clear. When this matter goes to arbitration and the arbitrator gives an award, the property of RUSAL, as along as it remains a legal company in this country, can be levied on to pay the staff,” Lewis informed.
In January RUSAL’s management fired a total of 326 workers and announced the suspension of its operations. This announcement came as a surprise to government officials as they were only made aware of the company’s decision during a meeting.
The union and BCGI have been in a decade-long labour dispute over a number of issues, including wages. Following strikes last year, the company signed an agreement to engage the union to find a solution but this did not materialise.
Affected workers and residents of the communities near the mining operation had called on the now caretaker government to prevent the company from resuming operations here.
Around three months after RUSAL announced that they were suspending their operations, contracted shipping company, Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc (OCGI), announced they were forced to close their operations here.
As a result of the closure, 132 employees were laid off.
OCGI is the company contracted to ship and transport bauxite from BCGI’s mines at Kurubuka in Region 10.
Explaining its decision, the company in the statement said BCGI did not extend their operational contract with OCGI. “Unfortunately, OCGI’s customer in Guyana has decided to suspend and mothball its operation in Guyana and thus not to extend the operational contract with OCGI. Consequently, OCGI is forced to wind down operations in Guyana.”
