Submitted by Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union – 25 May, 2014

The Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) is disturbed and sorrowed at the accident on the Mines Road, Kwakwani that involved 10 bauxite workers, employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI/RUSAL). On the eve of Guyana’s 48^th independence the nation is confronted with another accident by the foreign-managed BCGI/RUSAL. This company, which the Government of Guyana has minority shareholding, is once again engaged in unsafe practices in the execution of its mining activities

The accident of 24^th May involved a minibus transporting bauxite workers on a road that continues to see poor maintenance by the company. The accident resulted in the injuries. BCGI continues to get away bad corporate practices and disrespect for the Laws of Guyana because the government is uncaring and disrespecting of the category of workers employed by BCGI. The 2012 ruling of the High Court is yet to be respected by the Minister of Labour in the form of reissuing letters to commence compulsory arbitration proceedings. The situation is made worse by an opposition that prefers to turn the other way as section of this society, its constituents, continues to be violated and abused by the government and BCGI.

The accident occurred in a company assigned vehicle, on a company road, when workers were being transported in the execution of their duties. This is another industrial accident resulting from negligence and gross occupational safety and health shortcomings which highlights the risk which BCGI workers face on a daily basis. We are reminded that accidents do not just happen but are themselves a result of failure to observe measures appropriate to their prevention.

Occupational Health and Safety breaches present a threat to labour’s safety and is not a matter to be taken lightly nor can it be compromised. The safety of workers at the BGCI has been compromised for some time now and all efforts made by the Union to have the Ministry of Labour address these problems have been ignored. The continued refusal of the Ministry of Labour to act in the interests of BCGI workers to resolve their grievances heightens the belief of this company’s disregard for the laws, workers’ rights, including their safety, has the full support of an uncaring Government. There are many instances that can be cited to make this case.

For instance in May 2009 BCGI workers had caused to protest working with malfunctioning vehicles, 67 workers were suspended. Industrial action was taken after some workers felt ill, one of which is now permanently disabled. On 30^th June, 2010 there was an accident of similar nature, two workers lost their lived, 15 were seriously injured and others traumatised. In 2011 a mine at Aroaima caved in, where a worker was covered and lost his life.

The amount of serious accidents that occurred in BCGI has never been experienced before in the bauxite industry. GB&GWU asks in this season of independence how long more, how much more blood has to be shed, injuries sustained, lives lost, family dislocated and workers traumatised before the Government of Guyana holds BCGI accountable to the Laws of Guyana.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress got a commitment from the Leader of Opposition, Mr. David Granger, that he will tie the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT) to the Minister of Labour re-issuing the letters for arbitration. GB&GWU is aware when this matter was raised at the Launch of May Week 2014, it was reported in the media the PNCR General Secretary said “that APNU was unable to take action because the GTUC’s request was made only earlier this year at a time when government was falsely claiming that the opposition amendments to the AML/CFT Act were made at the last minute and the two issues were unrelated.”

GB&GWU asks the political leadership if they will continue to shy away from their responsibility to the people in light of what happened on 24^th May. GB&GWU needs assurance that the opposition is not in collusion with the government to have a section of this society live as second-class citizens in the land of their birth. The treatment BCGI workers receive at the hands of the management, the government and the opposition must be brought to an end, and all rights, laws and agreements be respected.