Bauxite workers up pressure on RUSAL; complains to President

Dec 12, 2017 News

Bauxite workers from RUSAL’s Berbice River operations are seeking an urgent meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, over outstanding payments and other critical issues.

RUSAL employees meeting President David Granger recently.

Yesterday, the workers travelled to meet union leader, Lincoln Lewis, who in recent days have been railing against the Russian-owned company for allegedly ‘eye-passing’ workers.
RUSAL’s local subsidiary, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), runs two operations in the Upper Berbice area- at Aroaima and Kurubuka.
But the working conditions at the mines have not been good, workers claim.
The workers, hailing from Linden and even Region Six, in Berbice, are targeting poor pay, discriminatory practices by managements and health hazards on the mines’ locations.
Recently, the company was ordered to pay workers a year of back pay on tax-free overtime. The company had allegedly been dragging its feet, workers claim yesterday, despite promising since last year.
In the meantime, workers say, the company is shipping out boatloads of bauxite monthly.
During a high level meeting with Scott recently, the company signed an agreement to pay the workers.
However, the workers are claiming that RUSAL has reneged on its signed commitment.
After de-recognizing the union a few years ago, RUSAL was forced to now engage it again after a recent exercise by labour officials.
The union is currently organizing workers.
A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency on Sunday said that President David Granger met with some works from RUSAL during his visit to Hururu, Berbice River. They used the opportunity to appeal to him to bring a resolution to ongoing issues related to outstanding payments and tax-free allowances.
“The Head of State committed to looking into the matter and working to ensure that workers get what is owed to them.”
Last month, the Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department hosted a meeting with members of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU) and representatives of RUSAL to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) crafted by the government.
The MoU was to ensure workers of the BCGI receive their tax-free payments of overtime.
Following the meeting, General Secretary of Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union, Lincoln Lewis, explained that the case has been ongoing for a while, and he is gratified to see the government playing a pivotal role in ensuring justice is served to the workers.
”The comments from the Minister speak to the responsibility of the Government of Guyana. I believe they (the government) have sent a signal to one investor that considers itself a large investor; that the race has come to an end, and they will have to respect the law and people’s rights,” Lewis said.
RUSAL has a history of clashing with workers including union representatives. More than 50 workers have been fired for allegedly participating in strike actions over working conditions.
RUSAL reportedly has even been showing reluctance to turn up at meetings with labour officials.
The troubles stretch back to two administrations ago.
RUSAL is one of the largest employer in the Region 10 area.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News