Georgetown: May commemorates two years of struggle for justice and fair play by workers employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BGCI). In a statement to mark the occassion the Guyana Bauxite and General Worker's Union said that the respect for the rights of bauxite workers and workers everywhere has reached its nadir with what took place on Sunday 8th May at BCGI’s campsite. The threat made to bauxite workers by General Manager, Mr. Ruslan Volokhov, that he will bash their heads and faces and bury them follows a long series of disrespect for workers, local and international laws and poor industrial practices over the years that have been given support by the Government and the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURB). The Union added that this is evident by the failures of the Chief Labour Officer, Yoganand Persaud and Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir to enforce the Labour Laws, and Justice (ret’d) Prem Persaud, Chairman of the TURB to pronounce on the GB&GWU 12th January, 2010 complaint of BCGI’s refusal to adhere to Section 23(1) of the Recognition Act which expressly states the employer shall recognize the union and both shall bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of collective bargaining.
The GBGWU explained that the Minister of Labour continued refusal to enforce the laws, in as much as he is aware of these violations, and the collusion of government and management to bully workers to first form a workers committee, then join another union, in as much as the GB&GWU remains the workers’ bargaining agent are evidence that there are forces at work to deny bauxite workers the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The Union vowed to continue it's struggle for worker's rights.
You must be logged in to post a comment.