Some Indian nationals in TIP scandal to return home

May 30, 2026 News

…Govt., Opposition provide conflicting details

(Kaieteur News) – While the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning announced that it has successfully resolved wage, passport, and employment disputes for the workers of EKAA HRIM Resource Management, Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed countered, accusing both the state and the employer of regulatory and humanitarian failures.

Mohamed told Kaieteur News that he, along with three private donors, personally intervened to repatriate the majority of the stranded workforce. Mohamed stated that they paid US$2,200 per ticket for 22 flights to send the workers back to India, noting that many of the men had been unable to see their families for three years.

The Opposition Leader heavily criticized the Ministry of Labour for failing to protect the workers. He pointed to documented workplace safety lapses, including an incident where a worker suffered finger injuries, and all were subjected to poor food provisions.

“The company EKAA failed their staff that he [Sarju Bhaskar] brought here; he failed all his contractual obligations,” Mohamed stated. He pointed to documented workplace safety lapses, including the “incident of the guy who lost his fingers” and poor food provisions.

Furthermore, Mohamed questioned why state resources were not deployed. He highlighted that the national budget allocated G$300 million to assist persons with humanitarian needs and G$900 million to the “Men on Mission” initiative.

“They preferred to leave the men stranded instead of ensuring EKAA helped the men,” Mohamed said. He said his co-donors wished to remain anonymous to avoid “victimization from the treacherous and vindictive PPP government.”

However, in a statement published on Friday, the Ministry of Labour defended its regulatory actions, starting with investigations into allegations that the company was withholding the workers’ passports. Upon investigation, the company claimed the documents were held for safekeeping, providing signed ledger records showing when workers temporarily checked out their passports to open bank accounts, obtain driver’s licenses, or remit money to India.

The Ministry confirmed the issue has been resolved and all workers are now in possession of their documents. Additionally, the Ministry verified that on May 25, 2026, all 37 employees received their outstanding April salaries alongside payments prorated up to May 16, 2026, backed by bank transfer receipts.

Addressing the workers’ claims that they were owed an additional US$2,500 each, the Ministry stated that a contract review on May 25 found no legal basis for enforcement under Guyanese law. Officials found that 11 workers had contracts stipulating a US$2,500 end-of-contract bonus governed explicitly by the laws of Mauritius or the United Arab Emirates. For the remaining 26 workers, the contracts detailed a lower initial rate for a six-month probationary phase that increased from the seventh month onward. The Ministry concluded this represented a standard probationary structure rather than withheld wages.

The Ministry’s statement outlined a fragmented path forward for the 37 workers, noting that EKAA agreed to pay for the repatriation of five workers who have three months or less remaining on their contracts.

Of the remaining workforce, the Ministry reported that 15 workers expressed a desire to stay in Guyana, and that the state has secured alternative employment for them and is processing their new work permits. Mohamed’s account, however, noted that 10 workers decided to stay locally to work with other companies.

For the remaining 17 workers, the Ministry stated it was actively collaborating with the Indian High Commission and other stakeholders to arrange repatriation, while remaining open to finding them local jobs if requested. Addressing the safety complaints raised regarding physical injuries at the quarry, the Ministry acknowledged that several Occupational Safety and Health concerns were flagged.

The Ministry stated it has inspected the Batavia site, issued formal recommendations for reliefs to EKAA management, and remains engaged to ensure full compliance with safety protocols while reaffirming its commitment to enforcing lawful labour practices in Guyana.

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Azruddin Mohamed, EKAA HRIM Resource Management, Indian nationals, trafficking

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