Latest update February 11th, 2025 7:29 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Some stakeholders’ actions not in best interest of bauxite workers-Sampson

Dec 19, 2009 News

General President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), Charles Samspon, says that the actions of the stakeholders pertaining to the negotiations as it relates to the welfare of Bauxite Workers.
Sampson made this disclosure in a statement to the media recently. He stated that after learning about an intended meeting with the Ministry of Labour, the Bauxite Company Guyana Inc. (BCGI) and Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) via Stabroek News’ (SN) report in the Thursday’s edition of December 10, 2009 he confirmed by way of a telephone call to Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Yoganand Persaud
Notwithstanding this the GB&GWU turned up Tuesday last at the Ministry of Labour to demonstrate its commitment to continue negotiations and to restore normalcy to the bauxite industry.
The GB&GWU President General said that the union is concerned that a matter of such seriousness where the laws of Guyana are being transgressed, where workers of Guyana are being victimized by a foreign managed company that is breaching the laws of Guyana, that the workers could be treatred so shabbily.
“Clearly the interest served is not that of the people, and the Ministry must explain the nature and or purpose of the game it is playing with persons’ livelihood.”
He said that the Ministry of Labour is a state entity that has responsibility for protecting the Labour Laws of Guyana and conciliating in labour disputes and for that Ministry to communicate to this nation via the public media that they will be a meeting between the Parties, fully aware that no arrangement has been put in place for such a meeting is deceptive and has to be brought under scrutiny.
He said that it suggests that the Chief Labour Officer has had his legitimate authority usurped or; is contemptuous of the Ministry’s role.
As such he is adamant that the Union needs to know the truth and the Ministry “must let us know why the GB&GWU and the public were  advised of a meeting on December 15, 2009 via SN when it is patently obvious that  the Ministry was not prepared for, or had no intention of holding same.”
According to Sampson the union stands ready to address issues pertaining to the strike and the forcing of workers to sign forms to cease membership in the union.
“The Ministry of Labour must hold BCGI accountable for respecting the laws of Guyana and any disregard for efforts which may have been made by the Ministry to convene a meeting.”
He said that the failure of the State’s conciliator to convene a meeting after publishing same in the public domain is unacceptable and for that, Persaud must be held accountable for lending credence to allegations that the Ministry is involved in acts that are inimical to the workers of Guyana.
Sampson posited that this is evident in the fact that to date and to the best of knowledge that the Ministry has failed to communicate to the management of BCGI that the bauxite company is in breach of the laws of Guyana  when by its actions at the last scheduled meeting at the Ministry to settle the dispute between BCGI and the GB&GWU, on December 2, the union was presented with a letter by BCGI Managing Director, Sergey Kostyuk, terminating the Collective Labour Agreement with immediate effect and seeking to have the union de-recognised.
“The Minister was quick to make public statements condemning workers for refusing to have their rights violated and giving advice to the company that is contrary to the best interest of Guyanese labour and an amicable industrial climate…
“In spite of this clear dilatoriness and subtle aggression against the members of GB&GWU this Union shall not be deterred by any forces of evil or any hidden agenda. GB& GWU remains strong and committed and is prepared to take this case to every forum where justice will and must eventually prevail.”

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Khalil, Pollard and Barker reign supreme as BCQS Int’l Masters concludes

Khalil, Pollard and Barker reign supreme as BCQS Int’l Masters...

Feb 11, 2025

Kaieteur Sports–Guyanese squash players delivered standout performances at the 2025 BCQS International Masters Tournament, held at the Georgetown Club, with Jason-Ray Khalil, Regan Pollard, and...
Read More
Cricket West Indies passes historic governance reform at special meeting of shareholders

Cricket West Indies passes historic governance...

Feb 11, 2025

Archery Guyana hosts thrilling 2024 National Indoor Youth Open, showcasing the next generation of archery talent

Archery Guyana hosts thrilling 2024 National...

Feb 11, 2025

Prashad claims victory at the recently concluded DEMLIFE Golf Tourney

Prashad claims victory at the recently concluded...

Feb 11, 2025

West Indies & Sri Lanka top their respective pools with hard earned victories in Round 1 of the OVER-50s World Cup

West Indies & Sri Lanka top their respective...

Feb 11, 2025

Allicock, Amsterdam named in GBA training squad 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championships

Allicock, Amsterdam named in GBA training squad...

Feb 10, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]