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Seafarers raise concerns about inequalities on vessels among Guyanese and foreigners

Nov 16, 2018 News

Members of the Guyana Seafarer’s and General Workers Union are crying out for an investigation into the day-to-day operations of El Dorado Offshore as it relates to payment and equality among local and foreign staff.
At a press conference with the media and Guyana Human Rights officials, the seamen expressed their discontentment at the way the organisation is allegedly treating and paying them. They are also dissatisfied at the way the “bigger heads” of the country are handling the situation.
Among the issues raised by the members of the union were that the organisation is allegedly paying persons from other countries like Trinidad and the Philippines a much more attractive wage than the Guyanese, regardless of the fact that they possess similar if not the same qualifications and experience and are performing the same duties.
One seaman emphasised that in some instances, foreigners are earning as much as three times a Guyanese salary for doing the same job on the vessel.
A second allegation by the seafarers was that workers of other nationalities do the same shift of 28 days on the vessel and 28 days off the vessel. However, the foreigners are allegedly being paid for the 28 days that they are off the vessel while locals are not.
A third set of complaints made by the seamen is that some of them have to work seven days a week and on holidays without any sort of additional payments as it is with other taxpayers in Guyana.
The seafarers also emphasised that they are working under the flag of the United States of America and like all other seafarers; they should be paid in US currency. They further alleged that the company has a different contractual agreement with the workers from other countries.
It was reported that the seamen had several meetings with representatives from the company who did nothing to address the situation or complaints being highlighted.
They further highlighted that they attempted to contact the current Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, but were met with his secretary who advised them to take their concerns to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Consultations with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure were then reportedly made and the seamen purportedly spoke with Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.
She requested that they provide a hardcopy of their issues and complaints. The seafarers then submitted this document on May 21, last.
However, to date the seamen are alleging that nothing has been done about the issue and their unfair treatment continues. The men are in fear for their jobs and of becoming victims of penalization, as their current contract entails that their jobs can be terminated as a result of releasing information to the public.
Section E: Termination for Cause, number 11 of the contract states that “Disclosing information, not available to the general public, about EDO or EDO’s business plans, the vessel or any other information about the nature of employment, such as wages and benefits to third parties” could lead to termination.

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