30 workers laid off as AMCAR abruptly shuts down Rosignol processing plant

…company breached Termination Act – GAWU

Thirty persons attached to heart of palm exporter Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited have been placed on the breadline, after the company decided to cease operation at the Rosignol, West Bank Berbice plant on Monday.

It is a decision which the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the representative of the plant employees, said it was “stunned” by.
“The company, which had for some time, had been complaining about challenges it was encountering. The Union was also aware that the company’s principals were in contact with the Government to address some of the difficulties they were confronting. It was, therefore, shocking when the GAWU learnt that the AMCAR had decided to close its operations at this time,” said the Union in a statement.
The 30-person workforce was informed simultaneously with the Union though AMCAR has several obligations as per the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. For the workers, GAWU said the news was a “bombshell” as they have to seek elsewhere to secure a livelihood.
“The GAWU stands with them in this difficult period. The mostly female workforce is saddened by the company’s decision to terminate them more so as they were highly dependent on their earnings.”

Sudden
When contacted on Monday, GAWU President Seepaul Narine told Guyana Times that this move was sudden and in breach of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act.
“According to the Termination Act, they ought to talk to the Union and inform us at least six weeks before. They have failed to do that and so far, have not provided any explanation,” Narine expressed.
When asked about ongoing talks between the Union and the company, the GAWU President said there were none.
In the meantime, the Union has written the company in respect of their obligations and is hopeful that a response will soon be forthcoming. (G12)