Brazilian Association peeved over delayed work permits

Apr 02, 2014 News

…addresses issue of its citizens being “exploited”

A number of Brazilian nationals are reportedly converging on available hotel rooms across the country, anxiously awaiting permission from the Guyana Government to begin working here.
During a press conference yesterday, the Brazilian Mining and General Association lashed out at Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs over 140 outstanding work permits.

Antonio Szala (right), in the company of two colleagues, addresses the media on issues related to Brazilian nationals living and working in Guyana

According to the Secretary of the body, Antonio Szala, the work permits have been approved of by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) since January, but are still piled up at the aforementioned Ministry, awaiting the final authorization.
Szala said that as a result of their long wait, many of the Brazilians have run short on finance, and are being assisted by the association, mostly in the area of getting accommodations.
He explained that the Brazilians do not have the required money and time to spend locked up in hotel rooms, as they have invested in coming to Guyana for jobs.
“They came here to work and they have families to maintain just like Guyanese,” Szala said.
He said that he does not know why the approval of the permits has taken so long, but pointed out that “Every time the association calls (the Ministry), we’re told that the permits are still in process.”
Szala said that while he understands that the Minister may be busy, the head of the relevant department should be able to speak on the issue.
“We’ve asked several times to speak with the coordinator of the immigration section, but all we are told is that he is in a meeting and will call us back, but he does not do so,” Szala claimed.
He said that the Brazilians would often visit the Ministry to get the status of their permits, but are usually given telephone numbers and asked to call other persons.
Szala said that while he agrees with the Ministry’s move in wanting to omit a third party, there still needs to be effective communications between Guyanese officials and Brazilians. He said that as a result of poorly translated communication, many Brazilians are unsure of what their next move should be.
Szala is of the opinion that the natives of the neighbouring country are being “exploited” here in Guyana.
He told reporters that this is especially prevalent in the areas of Parika and Bartica, by persons who demand large sums of money as fees from Brazilian nationals to pass through the areas in order to arrive at Georgetown.
The secretary of the Brazilian Mining and General Association explained that in order to qualify to apply for a work permit in Guyana, Brazilians have to be sponsored by persons who are licenced to operate in the mining industry here.
Szala said that more often than not, the sponsors would usually demand hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Brazilians, as an exchange for their supporting signatures.
To this end, he called on the relevant authorities to consider putting in place, a system where the Brazilians can work directly with the Ministry of Home Affairs, instead of having to go through sponsors who usually rip them off.
Meanwhile, Szala said that as a result of the current delays in the work permits, the dozens of Brazilians waiting in Guyana are becoming extremely frustrated.
“They want to get the legal documents. The Brazilians do not want to come to Guyana and work illegally, they want to do it the right way, so that they don’t have to go hiding in the bush and running from the police and so.” Szala stated.
Asked about assistance from the Brazilian Embassy, Szala told reporters that there seems to be a detachment with the Embassy in Guyana, noting that representatives were invited to yesterday’s press conference, but did not show up.
Szala claimed that he is in receipt of a legal document highlighting a number of agreements between Guyana and Brazil, and that there have been many glaring breaches. He advocated that Brazilians usually contribute a great deal to the local economy, as their spending is “three times higher than Guyanese”.
Essentially, Szala said that the aim of the Brazilian Mining and General Association is to support Brazilians and help them to benefit from proper systems where they can peacefully live and work in Guyana, free to go home whenever they wish.